Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations	$ 29,830	$ (61,874)
Net cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations	(46,400)	(19,599)
Net cash used in operating activities	(16,570)	(81,473)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments	394	26,275
Acquisition of businesses, including adjustments, net of cash acquired	(660)	(98,698)
Purchase of property and equipment	(11,477)	(9,240)
Capitalization of software development costs	(2,921)	(2,542)
Net change in restricted cash and bank time deposits	(23,729)	23,093
Settlement of derivative financial instruments not designated as hedges	(266)	(1,183)
Net cash used in investing activities-continuing operations	(38,659)	(62,295)
Net cash used in investing activities-discontinued operations	(2,844)	(13,605)
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,503)	(75,900)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Debt issuance costs and other debt-related costs	(217)	(15,280)
Proceeds from borrowings, net of original issuance discount	0	597,000
Cash of Comverse, Inc. as of the Share Distribution date, including capital contribution of $38.5 million	(205,250)	0
Repayment of convertible debt obligation	(2,195)	0
Repayment of bank loans, long-term debt and other financing obligations	(5,130)	(585,514)
Repurchase of common stock in CTI and subsidiary	(2,300)	(5,146)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options of CTI and subsidiary	1,821	10,418
Payments of contingent consideration for business combinations (financing portion)	(6,074)	(2,004)
Net cash used in financing activities-continuing operations	(219,345)	(526)
Net cash used in financing activities-discontinued operations	(35)	(6,028)
Net cash used in financing activities	(219,380)	(6,554)
Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(1,163)	3,883
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(278,616)	(160,044)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period including cash from discontinued operations	515,637	581,390
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period including cash from discontinued operations	237,021	421,346
Less: cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, at end of period	0	(172,149)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	237,021	249,197
Non-cash investing and financing transactions:
Accrued but unpaid purchases of property and equipment	1,715	1,241
Inventory transfers to property and equipment	374	555
Liabilities for contingent consideration recorded for business combination	0	33,704
Leasehold improvements funded by lease incentive	5,014	0
Stock options exercised, proceeds received subsequent to period end	0	364
Purchases under supplier financing arrangements, including capital leases	$ 0	$ 1,090