Total Purchased Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Indefinite-Lived And Finite-Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 260,625	$ 217,573
Accumulated Amortization	(141,572)	(128,467)
Net Carrying Amount	119,053	89,106
Indefinite lived trade name
Indefinite-Lived And Finite-Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	50,590	52,892
Net Carrying Amount	50,590	52,892
Contractual agreements and customer relationships
Indefinite-Lived And Finite-Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	122,679	85,131
Accumulated Amortization	(63,772)	(53,365)
Net Carrying Amount	58,907	31,766
Intellectual property
Indefinite-Lived And Finite-Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	84,688	79,550
Accumulated Amortization	(76,799)	(75,102)
Net Carrying Amount	7,889	4,448
Finite lived trade name
Indefinite-Lived And Finite-Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,668
Accumulated Amortization	(1,001)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 1,667