Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	$ 614,105		$ 1,907,892
Revenues	832,856	$ 733,273	2,575,240	$ 2,206,866
Reconciling items:
Interest, net	(25,483)	(28,601)	(85,959)	(81,877)
Restructuring charges and asset impairments, net	(7,232)	(1,470)	(19,639)	(29,109)
Gain from the sale of technology			0	6,085
Other expense	(7,964)	0	(7,964)	0
Income from continuing operations before taxes	45,129	56,265	159,882	183,022
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(1,976)	10,828	20,745	38,700
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	29,848	11,921	39,543	27,070
Net income	76,953	57,358	178,680	171,392
Operating Segments
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
EBIT	137,494	145,183	448,315	482,738
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciling items:
Unallocated corporate expenses	(39,696)	(41,322)	(137,257)	(151,473)
Interest, net	(37,437)	(41,230)	(122,484)	(120,323)
Restructuring charges and asset impairments, net	(7,232)	(1,470)	(19,639)	(29,109)
Gain from the sale of technology	0	0	0	6,085
Transaction costs	(36)	(4,896)	(1,089)	(4,896)
Other expense	(7,964)	0	(7,964)	0
Global Ecommerce
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	232,845		718,535
Presort Services
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	125,334		382,522
North America Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	125,313		386,008
Revenues	313,965		954,080
International Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	54,871		177,089
Revenues	84,970		276,365
Commerce Services
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	358,179	225,255	1,101,057	659,042
Commerce Services \| Operating Segments
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
EBIT	3,105	9,880	28,992	51,567
Commerce Services \| Global Ecommerce
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	232,845	106,181	718,535	288,839
EBIT	(14,330)	(9,594)	(28,034)	(17,894)
Commerce Services \| Presort Services
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	125,334	119,074	382,522	370,203
EBIT	17,435	19,474	57,026	69,461
Small & Medium Business Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	398,935	413,949	1,230,445	1,299,475
Small & Medium Business Solutions \| Operating Segments
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
EBIT	130,864	116,772	394,873	406,243
Small & Medium Business Solutions \| North America Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	313,965	320,091	954,080	1,016,993
EBIT	118,070	107,963	352,833	370,004
Small & Medium Business Solutions \| International Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	84,970	93,858	276,365	282,482
EBIT	12,794	8,809	42,040	36,239
Software Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Total from contracts with customers	75,742	94,069	243,738	248,349
Software Solutions \| Operating Segments
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
EBIT	$ 3,525	$ 18,531	$ 24,450	$ 24,928

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