Nature of Operations	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2012
Nature of Operations	1. Nature of Operations We are a supplier of electronic design automation (EDA) systems — advanced computer software and emulation hardware systems used to automate the design, analysis, and testing of electronic hardware and embedded systems software in electronic systems and components. We market our products and services worldwide, primarily to large companies in the military/aerospace, communications, computer, consumer electronics, semiconductor, networking, multimedia, and transportation industries. We sell and license our products through our direct sales force and a channel of distributors and sales representatives. We were incorporated in Oregon in 1981 and our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MENT.” In addition to our corporate offices in Wilsonville, Oregon, we have sales, support, software development, and professional service offices worldwide.

Nature of Operations

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

1. Nature of Operations

We are a supplier of electronic design automation (EDA) systems — advanced computer software and emulation hardware systems used to automate the design, analysis, and testing of electronic hardware and embedded systems software in electronic systems and components. We market our products and services worldwide, primarily to large companies in the military/aerospace, communications, computer, consumer electronics, semiconductor, networking, multimedia, and transportation industries. We sell and license our products through our direct sales force and a channel of distributors and sales representatives. We were incorporated in Oregon in 1981 and our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MENT.” In addition to our corporate offices in Wilsonville, Oregon, we have sales, support, software development, and professional service offices worldwide.