Concentration of Risk and Segment Data - Segment Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017
Reconciling items:
Amortization of intangibles	$ (10,040)	$ (9,174)	$ (29,909)	$ (26,262)
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	(15,038)	(18,350)	(82,822)	(33,377)
Restructuring and related charges	(12,647)	(32,700)	(29,462)	(113,529)
Other expense	(10,139)	(15,821)	(26,506)	(23,872)
Interest income	4,499	3,663	13,323	8,407
Interest expense	(36,178)	(35,443)	(110,220)	(102,087)
Income (loss) before income tax	71,153	(4,218)	264,854	174,621
Operating Segments
Reconciling items:
Income (loss) before income tax	150,062	113,805	555,878	475,539
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciling items:
Distressed customer charge	0	(10,198)	(14,706)	(10,198)
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	(15,038)	(18,350)	(82,822)	(33,377)
Business interruption and impairment charges, net	634	0	(10,722)	0
EMS
Reconciling items:
Restructuring and related charges	(4,600)	(12,400)	(12,600)	(23,800)
EMS | Operating Segments
Reconciling items:
Income (loss) before income tax	121,563	109,783	302,556	297,418
DMS
Reconciling items:
Restructuring and related charges	(5,800)	(17,800)	(13,800)	(65,800)
DMS | Operating Segments
Reconciling items:
Income (loss) before income tax	$ 28,499	$ 4,022	$ 253,322	$ 178,121