Acquisitions of and Investments in Businesses and Technologies - Changes in the net carrying value of Equity Method investments (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($) investments	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) investments	Jan. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 2,371
(Loss) income from equity investment	(114)	$ (72)	$ 83
Balance at end of year	$ 1,955	$ 2,371
Applied Technology
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of Equity method investments held by name | investments	2	2
All Equity Method Investments | Applied Technology
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, at Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 2,371	$ 2,805
Payments to acquire equity method investments	0	135
(Loss) income from equity investment	(42)	(72)
Amortization of intangible assets	(320)	(497)
Equity method investment, other than temporary impairment	(72)	0
Balance at end of year	$ 1,937	$ 2,371	$ 2,805
AgEagle Aerial Systems | Applied Technology
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, acquisition date equity method investment	2016-02
Equity Method Investment, Additional Information	AgEagle
Percentage of voting interest acquired	5.00%
Other Commitment	$ 0
SST | Applied Technology
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Additional Information	SST
Percentage of voting interest acquired	22.00%