SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013 Segment		Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of business segments									6
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Software license fees									$ 178,922		$ 220,885		$ 194,745
Maintenance fees									407,480		427,534		419,240
Subscription fees									82,442		78,438		67,718
Professional services fees									185,011		209,184		192,202
Application services fees									90,694		73,731		55,025
Total revenues									944,549		1,009,772	[1]	928,930
Operating expenses									942,335		883,131		778,616
Contribution /operating margin	(71,172)	39,649	17,174	16,563	36,271	32,593	38,160	19,617	2,214		126,641		150,314
Goodwill impairment charge									71,840
Restructuring expenses									16,573
Application Performance Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Software license fees									100,565		85,462		77,823
Maintenance fees									89,535		77,329		64,283
Subscription fees									79,862		76,246		67,718
Professional services fees									30,571		31,406		22,175
Total revenues									300,533		270,443		231,999
Operating expenses									304,835		317,621		246,212
Contribution /operating margin									(4,302)		(47,178)		(14,213)
Mainframe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Software license fees									58,528		110,289		95,820
Maintenance fees									271,824		303,639		310,965
Professional services fees									2,325		5,389		6,547
Total revenues									332,677		419,317		413,332
Operating expenses									91,325		99,310		99,659
Contribution /operating margin									241,352		320,007		313,673
Changepoint [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Software license fees									8,468		13,815		9,226
Maintenance fees									16,305		15,551		14,547
Subscription fees									2,580		2,192
Professional services fees									12,422		16,309		15,650
Total revenues									39,775		47,867		39,423
Operating expenses									41,226		45,027		47,514
Contribution /operating margin									(1,451)		2,840		(8,091)
Uniface [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Software license fees									11,361		11,319		11,876
Maintenance fees									29,816		31,015		29,445
Professional services fees									4,979		4,574		4,986
Total revenues									46,156		46,908		46,307
Operating expenses									21,831		21,740		20,149
Contribution /operating margin									24,325		25,168		26,158
Professional Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Professional services fees									134,714	[2]	151,506		142,844
Total revenues									134,714	[2]	151,506		142,844
Operating expenses									187,472	[2]	127,178		118,937
Contribution /operating margin									(52,758)	[2]	24,328		23,907
Goodwill impairment charge									71,840
Application Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Application services fees									90,694		73,731		55,025
Total revenues									90,694		73,731		55,025
Operating expenses									86,084		72,717		51,011
Contribution /operating margin									4,610		1,014		4,014
Unallocated Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expenses									209,562	[3]	199,538		195,134
Contribution /operating margin									$ (209,562)	[3]	$ (199,538)		$ (195,134)

[1] March 31, 2012 and 2011 amounts between the United States and other international operations have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

[2] Professional services business unit operating expenses include a $71.8 million goodwill impairment charge. See note 7 for additional information.

[3] Unallocated operating expenses include $16.6 million in restructuring expenses. See note 8 for additional information.