Concentration of Risk and Segment Data (Segment Income) (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Reconciling items:
Amortization of intangibles	$ 5,724	$ 5,679	$ 17,097	$ 18,180
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges			53,101	8,257
Restructuring and related charges	(782)	12,446	31,833	65,652
Distressed customer charges		11,371		15,113
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries		2,905		2,905
Other expense	1,880	1,520	5,238	4,547
Interest income	(2,836)	(1,060)	(6,452)	(2,109)
Interest expense	31,997	32,107	95,884	97,270
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	104,381	(34,180)	310,358	57,723
EMS
Reconciling items:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	95,349	44,683	212,664	171,055
DMS
Reconciling items:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	65,109	666	294,400	94,853
Operating Segments [Member]
Reconciling items:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before tax	160,458	45,349	507,064	265,908
Continuing Operations
Reconciling items:
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	$ 20,094	$ 14,561	$ 53,106	$ 6,627