Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Retained earnings Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 52,203,570 and 51,688,218 shares issued at July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized; none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Total liabilities Liabilities Line of credit Long-term Line of Credit, Noncurrent Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Current liabilities of discontinued operations Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Other Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Total assets Assets Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $51,713 and $43,464 at July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $104,472 and $92,563 at July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Other Assets, Noncurrent Insurance Recoverables Non Current Insurance recoverables The non-current portion of known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from insurance, for claims which exceed the Company's deductibles. Noncurrent assets are expected to be received after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Non-current assets of discontinued operations Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent, Total Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent Total current assets Assets, Current Insurance Recoverables Current Insurance recoverables The short-term portion of known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from insurance, for claims which exceed the Company's deductibles (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Current assets of discontinued operations Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current, Total Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current Prepaid income taxes Prepaid Taxes Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $10,941 and $10,772 at July 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Allowances for trade accounts receivable Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Accumulated depreciation on property, plant and equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated amortization on other intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Dividends declared per common share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Net Income Earnings Per Share, Diluted Loss from discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Net Income Earnings Per Share, Basic Loss from discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Net income per common share - Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Net income per common share - Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense Operating profit Operating Income (Loss), Total Operating Income (Loss) Total expenses Costs and Expenses Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Selling, General and Administrative Expense Revenues Sales Revenue, Services, Net, Total Sales Revenue, Services, Net Expenses Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options Cash received from exercise of options Tax effect from exercise of options Tax Benefit from Stock Options Exercised Income Taxes Paid, Net Income Taxes Paid, Net, Total Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Changes in book cash overdrafts Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts Dividends paid Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired Purchase of businesses Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Additions to property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Additions to property; plant and equipment Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net cash provided by continuing operating activities Total adjustments Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes Payable Other assets and long-term receivables Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Trade accounts receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Gain on sale of assets Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment, Total Loss (gain) on sale of assets Discount accretion on insurance claims The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the changes in the value of discounted acquired self-insurance reserves due to the passage of time. Discount accretion on insurance claims Provision for bad debt Provision for Doubtful Accounts Share-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based Compensation Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net income Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operating activities: Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Self-Insurance Insurance Disclosure [Text Block] Net Income per Common Share [Abstract] Net Income per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Plans [Abstract] Share-Based Compensation Plans Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Discontinued Operations Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements. Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Line of Credit Facility [Abstract] Line of Credit Facility Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Dividends paid Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Supplemental Data: Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information. Auction Rate Securities [Abstract] Auction Rate Securities [Abstract] Benefit Plans [Abstract] Benefit Plans [Abstract] Operating Cost of Services, Total Cost of Services Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Increase Decrease In Insurance Recoverables Insurance recoverables Insurance recoverables The net change during the reporting period in the amount of known and estimated amounts recoverable as of the balance sheet date from insurance, for claims which exceed the Company's deductibles. Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from exercises of stock options (including income tax benefit) Borrowings from line of credit Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit Repayment of borrowings from line of credit Repayments of Long-term Lines of Credit Interest Paid Interest paid on line of credit Interest paid on line of credit Trade accounts receivable Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other assets and long-term receivables Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Contingencies [Abstract] Contingencies. Prepaid expenses Other Prepaid Expense, Current Self-Insurance [Abstract] Self-Insurance. Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Insurance Claims Current Insurance claims Current portion of the carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's' compensation-type incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on an entity's property. Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities, Noncurrent Investments in auction rate securities Accounts Payable, Current Accounts Payable, Current, Total Trade accounts payable Employee-related Liabilities, Current Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Compensation Self Insurance Reserve Insurance claims Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Available-for-sale Securities [Text Block] Auction Rate Securities Retirement plans and other non-current liabilities The net change during the period for liabilities of unfunded pension and postretirement benefit plans (such as medical, dental and life insurance) and other obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Retirement plans and other non-current liabilities Insurance claims payable The net change during the reporting period in the amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's' compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on an entity's property. Taxes - other than income Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable for payroll, sales, use, real, property and other taxes. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Taxes - other than income Retirement Plan And Other Non Current Liabilities Retirement plans and other This represents the noncurrent liability for unfunded pension and other postretirement benefit plans (such as medical, dental and life insurance) and other noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in continuing investing activities Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Auction Rate Security Abstract Other-than-temporary impairment losses on auction rate security: Other ThanTemporary Impairment Losses On Auction Rate Security Abstract. Impairment of Investments Gross impairment losses Other Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Non-cash investing activities: Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Common stock issued for business acquired Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Before Tax Impairments recognized in other comprehensive income Noncredit portion of impairment losses on debt securities reclassified to other comprehensive income for those securities that meet the criteria to have impairment losses bifurcated between net income (credit losses) and other comprehensive income (noncredit losses). Impairment Of Auction Rate Securities Auction rate security credit loss impairment The credit loss portion of other-than-temporary impairments on debt securities for those securities that meet the criteria to have impairment losses bifurcated between net income (credit loss) and other comprehensive income (noncredit loss). Receivables, Long-term Contracts or Programs Receivables, Long-term Contracts or Programs, Total Notes receivable and other Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent Insurance deposits Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent, Total Other investments and long-term receivables Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Acquisitions. Acquisitions [Abstract]