Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 08, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ARI NETWORK SERVICES INC /WI
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Central Index Key	0000879796
Trading Symbol	aris
Amendment Flag	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,460,032