Intangible Assets Including Goodwill: (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Beginning Balance	$ 26,213	$ 25,136
Goodwill Additions	1,879	1,291
Purchase Price Adjustments	(24)	2
Divestitures	(20)	(13)
Foreign Currency Translation and Other Adjustments	221	(203)
Ending Balance	28,270	26,213
Global Business Services
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Beginning Balance	4,313	4,329
Goodwill Additions	5	14
Purchase Price Adjustments	0	0
Divestitures	0	(10)
Foreign Currency Translation and Other Adjustments	24	(20)
Ending Balance	4,341	4,313
Global Technology Services
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Beginning Balance	2,646	2,704
Goodwill Additions	21
Purchase Price Adjustments		(1)
Divestitures	0	(2)
Foreign Currency Translation and Other Adjustments	4	(55)
Ending Balance	2,671	2,646
Software
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Beginning Balance	18,121	16,963
Goodwill Additions	1,413	1,277
Purchase Price Adjustments	(23)	10
Divestitures	(6)	(2)
Foreign Currency Translation and Other Adjustments	184	(127)
Ending Balance	19,689	18,121
Systems and Technology
Changes in Goodwill Balances
Beginning Balance	1,133	1,139
Goodwill Additions	441
Purchase Price Adjustments	0	(6)
Divestitures	(14)
Foreign Currency Translation and Other Adjustments	9	0
Ending Balance	$ 1,569	$ 1,133

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in the recorded value of goodwill for foreign currency translation adjustments and purchase accounting adjustments needed to revise the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

+ References

+ Details

- Definition

Write-off of the carrying amount of goodwill associated with all or a portion of a reporting unit that is sold in the period.

+ References+ Details