Reportable Operating Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,226,471,000	$ 1,182,123,000
Operating profit	23,932,000	19,306,000
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net	1,493,000	1,195,000
Interest expense	(2,707,000)	(3,310,000)
Income before income taxes	22,718,000	17,191,000
Janitorial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	637,059,000	609,179,000
Operating profit	29,138,000	29,441,000
Janitorial | Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	900,000
Facility Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	151,712,000	156,447,000
Operating profit	5,512,000	6,141,000
Parking
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	150,257,000	151,237,000
Operating profit	5,650,000	4,823,000
Security
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	99,748,000	96,673,000
Operating profit	2,593,000	1,668,000
Building & Energy Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	102,074,000	87,982,000
Operating profit	2,702,000	(99,000)
Adjustment for income from unconsolidated affiliates	(1,477,000)	(1,240,000)
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	85,621,000	80,320,000
Operating profit	1,931,000	1,621,000
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	285,000
Operating profit	(22,117,000)	(23,049,000)
Revenue [Member] | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment		3,700,000
Operating Profit [Member] | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment		$ 400,000