GOODWILL, CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill as of beginning of period	$ 801,889	$ 607,765
dynaTrace acquisition (see note 2)		210,908
Effect of foreign currency translation	(8,007)	(16,784)
Goodwill impairment charge	(71,840)
Goodwill as of end of period	722,042	801,889	607,765
Accumulated impairment charges	(71,840)	0	0
Capitalized software and other intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	480,909	457,533
Accumulated Amortization	(368,674)	(343,003)
Net Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	112,235	114,530
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Expense	32,873	30,458	22,447
Future amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
2014	34,284
2015	27,049
2016	22,711
2017	13,746
2018	7,619
Thereafter	6,826
Capitalized Software [Member]
Capitalized software and other intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization period	5 years
Future amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
2014	27,217
2015	22,204
2016	18,593
2017	9,793
2018	3,810
Thereafter	187
Capitalized Software [Member] | Internally Developed [Member]
Capitalized software and other intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	243,872	218,049
Accumulated Amortization	(184,732)	(175,018)
Net Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	59,140	43,031
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Expense	15,688	13,340	11,249
Capitalized Software [Member] | Purchased [Member]
Capitalized software and other intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	165,117	167,041
Accumulated Amortization	(142,453)	(133,925)
Net Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	22,664	33,116
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Expense	9,604	8,877	4,766
Customer Relationship [Member]
Capitalized software and other intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	52,036	52,196
Accumulated Amortization	(25,281)	(21,153)
Net Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	26,755	31,043
Amortization period	10 years
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Expense	4,167	4,472	4,512
Future amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
2014	4,118
2015	4,118
2016	4,118
2017	3,953
2018	3,809
Thereafter	6,639
Other Amortizable Intangible Assets [Member]
Capitalized software and other intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	19,884	20,247
Accumulated Amortization	(16,208)	(12,907)
Net Carrying Amount, amortized intangible assets	3,676	7,340
Amortization period	3 years
Amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Expense	3,414	3,769	1,920
Future amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
2014	2,949
2015	727
Trademarks [Member]
Capitalized software and other intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount, unamortized intangible assets	4,428	4,443
Net Carrying Amount, unamortized intangible assets	4,428	4,443
Application Performance Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill as of beginning of period	477,632	282,815
dynaTrace acquisition (see note 2)		210,908
Effect of foreign currency translation	(7,685)	(16,091)
Goodwill as of end of period	469,947	477,632
Accumulated impairment charges	0	0	0
Mainframe [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill as of beginning of period	140,591	141,020
Effect of foreign currency translation	(34)	(429)
Goodwill as of end of period	140,557	140,591
Accumulated impairment charges	0	0	0
Changepoint [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill as of beginning of period	22,084	22,151
Effect of foreign currency translation	(5)	(67)
Goodwill as of end of period	22,079	22,084
Accumulated impairment charges	0	0	0
Uniface [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill as of beginning of period	21,285	21,350
Effect of foreign currency translation	(5)	(65)
Goodwill as of end of period	21,280	21,285
Accumulated impairment charges	0	0	0
Professional Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill as of beginning of period	114,912	115,044
Effect of foreign currency translation	(278)	(132)
Goodwill impairment charge	(71,840)
Goodwill as of end of period	42,794	114,912
Accumulated impairment charges	(71,840)	0	0
Application Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill as of end of period	25,385	25,385	25,385
Accumulated impairment charges	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0