Goodwill (Changes In Carrying Amount Of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross at January 31, 2011	$ 1,123,679
Accumulated impairment losses at January 31, 2011	(156,455)
Goodwill, net, at January 31, 2011	967,224
Effect of changes in foreign currencies and other	471
Goodwill, gross at October 31, 2011	1,203,004
Accumulated impairment losses at October 31, 2011	(156,455)
Goodwill, net, at October 31, 2011	1,046,549
Comverse BSS [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross at January 31, 2011	84,050
Goodwill, net, at January 31, 2011	84,050
Effect of changes in foreign currencies and other	28
Goodwill, gross at October 31, 2011	84,078
Goodwill, net, at October 31, 2011	84,078
Comverse VAS [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross at January 31, 2011	66,040
Goodwill, net, at January 31, 2011	66,040
Effect of changes in foreign currencies and other	22
Goodwill, gross at October 31, 2011	66,062
Goodwill, net, at October 31, 2011	66,062
Verint [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross at January 31, 2011	803,971
Goodwill, net, at January 31, 2011	803,971
Effect of changes in foreign currencies and other	420
Goodwill, gross at October 31, 2011	883,245
Goodwill, net, at October 31, 2011	883,245
All Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross at January 31, 2011	169,618	[1]
Accumulated impairment losses at January 31, 2011	(156,455)	[1]
Goodwill, net, at January 31, 2011	13,163	[1]
Effect of changes in foreign currencies and other	1	[1]
Goodwill, gross at October 31, 2011	169,619	[1]
Accumulated impairment losses at October 31, 2011	(156,455)	[1]
Goodwill, net, at October 31, 2011	13,164	[1]
Vovici [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Business acquisition	37,647
Vovici [Member] | Verint [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Business acquisition	37,647
GMT [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Business acquisition	21,653
GMT [Member] | Verint [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Business acquisition	21,653
Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Business acquisition	19,554
Other [Member] | Verint [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Business acquisition	$ 19,554

[1] The amount of goodwill in "All Other" is attributable to Starhome, Comverse MI and Netcentrex. The goodwill associated with Netcentrex was impaired during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 and prior fiscal years.