Segment Information Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011 segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating and reportable segments	2

Segment Reporting, Number of Operating and Reportable Segments

No definition available.

Name:	pmtc_SegmentReportingNumberOfOperatingAndReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	pmtc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration