Warranty accrual

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Warranty accrual [Abstract]

Warranty accrual

11. Warranty accrual. We offer warranty to our customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement. A typical warranty program requires that we repair or replace defective products within a specified time period (generally one year) from the date of delivery or first use. We record an estimate for future warranty-related costs based on actual historical return rates. Based on analysis of return rates and other factors, the adequacy of our warranty provisions are adjusted as necessary. The liability for warranty costs is included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Following is a reconciliation of the product warranty liability for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011:

Three months ended	January 31, 2012			January 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$	6,723		$	5,242
Accruals for warranties		1,006			1,411
Warranty payments		(1,358	)		(1,347	)
Currency effect		(119	)		(25	)
Ending balance	$	6,252		$	5,281