Polycom (PLCM) 10-Q 1 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 18, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'PLCM	'
Entity Registrant Name	'POLYCOM INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001010552	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	170,419,502

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$712,694	$477,073
Short-term investments	161,339	197,196
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,722 and $2,921 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	175,223	194,654
Inventories	107,681	99,960
Deferred taxes	48,562	48,916
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	66,861	52,539
Total current assets	1,272,360	1,070,338
Property and equipment, net	122,379	133,319
Long-term investments	79,776	50,333
Goodwill	559,463	553,819
Purchased intangibles, net	45,948	54,983
Deferred taxes	26,702	28,406
Other assets	28,864	21,238
Total assets	2,135,492	1,912,436
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	91,136	89,983
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	33,878	39,469
Taxes payable	4,880	4,736
Deferred revenue	172,056	158,482
Current portion of long term debt	6,250	'
Other accrued liabilities	71,592	63,018
Total current liabilities	379,792	355,688
Non-current liabilities	'	'
Long term deferred revenue	88,112	91,061
Taxes payable	14,926	15,598
Deferred taxes	229	236
Long term debt	243,750	'
Other non-current liabilities	34,381	22,079
Total non-current liabilities	381,398	128,974
Total liabilities	761,190	484,662
Stockholders’ equity	'	'
Common stock, $0.0005 par value; Authorized: 350,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 170,417,372 shares at September 30, 2013 and 175,323,885 shares at December 31, 2012	34	38
Additional paid-in capital	1,334,501	1,326,436
Retained earnings	35,479	97,104
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,288	4,196
Total stockholders’ equity	1,374,302	1,427,774
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$2,135,492	$1,912,436

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Trade receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$2,722	$2,921
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	350,000,000	350,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	170,417,372	175,323,885
Common stock, shares outstanding	170,417,372	175,323,885

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Product revenues	$242,515	$247,058	$740,066	$780,611
Service revenues	93,946	88,334	280,381	258,991
Total revenues	336,461	335,392	1,020,447	1,039,602
Cost of revenues:	'	'	'	'
Cost of product revenues	102,830	102,235	309,994	316,863
Cost of service revenues	38,587	36,799	114,714	106,123
Total cost of revenues	141,417	139,034	424,708	422,986
Gross profit	195,044	196,358	595,739	616,616
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Sales and marketing	107,292	117,853	325,663	348,041
Research and development	54,220	53,997	164,782	153,425
General and administrative	28,468	27,376	76,461	72,375
Amortization of purchased intangibles	2,487	2,512	7,535	7,318
Restructuring costs	24,887	6,171	34,639	21,829
Acquisition-related costs	39	6,334	3,411	11,793
Total operating expenses	217,393	214,243	612,491	614,781
Operating income (loss)	-22,349	-17,885	-16,752	1,835
Interest and other income (expense), net:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-850	-287	-1,736	-470
Other income (expense)	-784	57	-1,041	-2,540
Interest and other income (expense), net	-1,634	-230	-2,777	-3,010
Loss from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	-23,983	-18,115	-19,529	-1,175
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	-5	-2,709	-2,963	105
Net loss from continuing operations	-23,978	-15,406	-16,566	-1,280
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	645	'	7,710
Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	'	459	'
Net income (loss)	($23,978)	($14,761)	($16,107)	$6,430
Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted:	'	'	'	'
Net loss per share from continuing operations	($0.14)	($0.09)	($0.10)	($0.01)
Income per share from discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	'	'	$0.04
Gain per share from sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted	($0.14)	($0.08)	($0.09)	$0.04
Number of shares used in computation of net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted	170,310	176,847	172,644	177,331

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Net income (loss)	($23,978)	($14,761)	($16,107)		$6,430
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'		'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	86	694	579		-453
Unrealized gains/(losses) on investments:	'	'	'		'
Unrealized holding gains/losses arising during the period	96	52	10		-8
Net gains/losses reclassified into earnings	-5	-3	66	[1]	-3
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on investments	91	49	76		-11
Unrealized gains/(losses) on hedging securities:	'	'	'		'
Unrealized hedge gains/losses arising during the period	-570	-751	1,793		789
Net gains/losses reclassified into earnings	'	'	-2,356	[1]	'
Net unrealized losses on hedging securities	-1,800	-878	-563		-2,600
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,623	-135	92		-3,064
Comprehensive income (loss)	-25,601	-14,896	-16,015		3,366
Revenue Hedges	'	'	'		'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on hedging securities:	'	'	'		'
Net gains/losses reclassified into earnings	-716	-944	-1,190		-7,263
Expense Hedges	'	'	'		'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on hedging securities:	'	'	'		'
Net gains/losses reclassified into earnings	($514)	$817	($1,166)		$3,874
[1]	See Note 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details of gains and losses, net of taxes, reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income related to cash flow hedges and each line item of net income affected by the reclassification. Gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified into “Other income (expense)” in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net of taxes.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($16,107)	$6,430
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	49,654	45,592
Amortization of purchased intangibles	11,335	15,878
Amortization of debt issuance costs	52	'
Provision for doubtful accounts	'	800
Write-down of excess and obsolete inventories	5,625	5,297
Stock-based compensation	53,300	66,256
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-780	-9,587
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	3,658	3,502
Net gain on sale of discontinued operations	-459	'
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Trade receivables	21,857	20,435
Inventories	-13,346	-13,858
Deferred taxes	2,058	-12,947
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-18,915	4,188
Accounts payable	-1,118	-31,552
Taxes payable	-4,006	1,032
Other accrued liabilities and deferred revenue	24,661	19,958
Net cash provided by operating activities	117,469	121,424
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-41,793	-51,979
Purchases of investments	-200,945	-212,377
Proceeds from sale of investments	21,802	37,794
Proceeds from maturity of investments	185,634	178,162
Net cash received from sale of discontinued operations	556	'
Net cash paid in purchase acquisitions	-7,974	-4,583
Net cash used in investing activities	-42,720	-52,983
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee option and stock purchase plans	23,326	24,362
Proceeds from debt, net of debt issuance costs	247,582	'
Purchase and retirement of common stock	-110,816	-62,073
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	780	9,587
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	160,872	-28,124
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	235,621	40,317
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	477,073	375,441
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$712,694	$415,758

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited financial statements, consisting of the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes typically found in the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Polycom, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (primarily consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included.
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.
	Certain prior year service costs have been reclassified amongst our segments to conform to the current year presentation in order to more appropriately align those costs with the associated revenues. See Note 16.
	Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
	During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Company discovered an error that impacted the Company’s previously issued interim and annual consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 through 2012 and the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The error was related to certain royalty related expenses not being properly allocated between the Company’s U.S. entity and its international subsidiary which led to an understated income tax provision in fiscal years 2010 through 2012.
	In evaluating whether the Company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements were materially misstated, the Company considered the guidance in ASC Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, ASC Topic 250-10-S99-1, Assessing Materiality, and ASC Topic 250-10-S99-2, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. The Company concluded that these errors were not material to any of the prior reporting periods, and therefore, amendments of previously filed reports are not required. However, if the entire correction was recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the cumulative amount would be material in the year ending December 31, 2013 and would impact comparisons to prior periods. As such, the revisions for these corrections are reflected in the financial information of the applicable prior periods and will be reflected in future filings containing such financial information.
	The following tables set forth a summary of the revisions to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		As Previously Reported			Adjustment				As Revised				As Previously Reported					Adjustment				As Revised
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes for continuing operations	$	(3,384	)	$	675		$		(2,709	)	$			(1,025	)	$		1,130		$		105
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(14,731	)	$	(675	)	$		(15,406	)	$			(150	)	$		(1,130	)	$		(1,280	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(14,086	)	$	(675	)	$		(14,761	)	$			7,560		$		(1,130	)	$		6,430
	Basic Net Income (loss) Per Share:
	Net loss per share from continuing operations	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)	$		(0.09	)	$			0.00		$		(0.01	)	$		(0.01	)
	Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)	$		(0.08	)	$			0.04		$		(0.01	)	$		0.04
	Diluted net income (loss) per share:
	Net loss per share from continuing operations	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)	$		(0.09	)	$			0.00		$		(0.01	)	$		(0.01	)
	Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)	$		(0.08	)	$			0.04		$		(0.01	)	$		0.04
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (loss)
	Net income (loss)	$	(14,086	)	$	(675	)	$		(14,761	)	$			7,560		$		(1,130	)	$		6,430
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(14,221	)	$	(675	)	$		(14,896	)	$			4,496		$		(1,130	)	$		3,366
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Operating activities
	Net income											$			7,560		$		(1,130	)	$		6,430
	Changes in prepaid expenses and other current assets											$			3,058		$		1,130		$		4,188
	Net cash provided by operating activities											$			121,424		$		—		$		121,424

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The Company’s significant accounting policies were described in Note 1 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”). With the exception of the accounting standards update discussed below, there have been no significant changes to these policies and no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, that are of significance or potential significance to the Company.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standard update which clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations where a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The guidance will be effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact on the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which requires the release of cumulative translation adjustments into net income when an entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest resulting in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. The guidance will be effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect any material impact on the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that requires an entity to expand the disclosure of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The update requires companies to present reclassifications by component when reporting changes in AOCI balances and to report the effect of significant reclassifications on the respective line items in net income. The guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted the guidance in the quarter ended March 31, 2013, and such adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In December 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that requires disclosure of the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a company’s financial position as well as enhanced disclosure of the rights of setoff associated with a company’s recognized assets and liabilities. In January 2013, the FASB issued another accounting standard update to clarify the scope of the standard issued in December 2011. The Company adopted the guidance in the quarter ended March 31, 2013, and such adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations	'
	3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	On December 4, 2012, the Company completed the disposition of the net assets of its enterprise wireless voice solutions (“EWS”) business to Mobile Devices Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability corporation. The Company received cash consideration of approximately $50.7 million, resulting in a gain on sale of the discontinued operations, net of taxes, of $35.4 million, as reflected in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded an additional gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes, of approximately $0.5 million as a result of the final net working capital adjustment in accordance with the Purchase Agreement. Additional cash consideration of up to $57.0 million is payable over the next four years subject to certain conditions, including meeting certain agreed-upon EBITDA-based milestones. Such additional cash consideration will be accounted for as a gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes, when it is realized or realizable. In accordance with accounting guidance, the Company has included the results of operations of EWS in discontinued operations within the condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.
	Summarized results from discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months		Nine Months
		Ended		Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2012		2012
	Revenues	$	17,897		$	60,441
	Income from discontinued operations		4,710			15,137
	Provision for income taxes		4,065			7,427
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	645		$	7,710
	There were no results from discontinued operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, as the divestiture of the EWS business was completed in December 2012.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations	'
	4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
	On March 1, 2013 the Company completed its acquisition of certain assets of Sentri, Inc. (“Sentri”), a privately-held services company with expertise in Microsoft technologies, for approximately $8.0 million in cash, net of approximately $0.4 million cash released from an escrow account as a result of a net working capital adjustment. The acquisition expands the Company’s advanced services offerings with an emphasis on multi-vendor unified communications solutions that can encompass video, voice, data, and networking.
	The total preliminary purchase price was allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets based upon their fair values at March 1, 2013 with the excess amount recorded as goodwill. The goodwill is primarily attributable to the expertise of former Sentri employees in Microsoft technologies and expected synergies from the combined company, and is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company has included the financial results of Sentri in its condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Pro forma and actual results of operations of the acquisition were not material to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounts_Receivable_Financing

Accounts Receivable Financing	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounts Receivable Financing	'
	5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FINANCING
	In 2012, the Company launched a customer financing program and entered into a financing agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) with an unrelated third party financing company. The program offers channel partners, distributors, and resellers direct or indirect financing on their purchases of the Company’s products and services. Pursuant to the terms of the Financing Agreement, the Company transfers accounts receivable from these customers, without recourse, to the financing company. In return, the Company agrees to pay the financing company a fee based on a pre-defined percentage of the transaction amount financed. If the transaction meets the applicable criteria under ASC 860 and is accounted for as a sale of financial assets, the accounts receivable are excluded from the balance sheet upon the third party financing company’s payment remittance to the Company. In certain legal jurisdictions, the arrangement fees that involve maintenance services or products bundled with maintenance at one price do not qualify as a sale of financial assets in accordance with the authoritative guidance. Accordingly, accounts receivable related to these arrangements are accounted for as a secured borrowing in accordance with ASC 860, and the Company records a liability for any cash received, while maintaining the associated accounts receivable balance until the end-customer remits payment to the third-party financing company.
	In the three months ended September 30, 2013, total transactions entered pursuant to the terms of the Financing Agreement were approximately $32.6 million, of which $27.9 million was related to the sale of the financial assets arrangement. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, total transactions entered were approximately $83.3 million, of which $73.1 million was related to the sale of the financial assets arrangement. In the three months ended September 30, 2012, total transactions entered were $6.8 million, of which $5.4 million was related to the sale of the financial assets arrangement. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, total transactions entered were $7.2 million, of which $5.4 million was related to the sale of the financial assets arrangement. The financing of these receivables accelerated the collection of the Company’s cash and reduced its credit exposure. The amount due from the financing company as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was approximately $20.6 million and $15.4 million, respectively, of which $18.3 million and $12.4 million, respectively, was related to the accounts receivable sold, and is included in “Trade receivables” in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Fees incurred pursuant to the Financing Agreement were approximately $0.5 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and were less than $0.1 million in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Those fees were recorded as reductions to revenues.

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi

Goodwill and Purchased Intangibles	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Purchased Intangibles	'
	6. GOODWILL AND PURCHASED INTANGIBLES
	Goodwill
	The following table presents details of the Company’s goodwill by segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Americas				EMEA				APAC				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$		302,768		$		101,882		$		149,169		$	553,819
	Sentri acquisition				5,490				—				—			5,490
	Foreign currency translation				—				—				154			154
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$		308,258		$		101,882		$		149,323		$	559,463
	Purchased intangible assets
	The following table presents details of the Company’s total purchased intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013														December 31, 2012
			Gross				Accumulated				Net Value					Gross						Accumulated				Net Value
			Value				Amortization									Value						Amortization
							& Impairment															& Impairment
	Core and developed technology		$		81,178		$		(71,334	)	$		9,844			$			81,178				$	(67,514	)		$	13,664
	Customer and partner relationships				79,525				(46,272	)			33,253						79,025					(39,578	)			39,447
	Non-compete agreements				1,800				(350	)			1,450						—					—				—
	Trade name				3,400				(3,054	)			346						3,400					(2,746	)			654
	Other				4,462				(4,325	)			137						4,462					(4,162	)			300
	Finite-lived intangible assets				170,365				(125,335	)			45,030						168,065					(114,000	)			54,065
	Indefinite life trade name				918				—				918						918					—				918
	Total acquired intangible assets				171,283				(125,335	)			45,948						168,983					(114,000	)			54,983
	Purchased intangibles include a purchased trade name of $0.9 million with an indefinite life as the Company expects to generate cash flows related to this asset indefinitely. Consequently, this trade name is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment annually or sooner when indicators of potential impairment exist.
	The following table summarizes the amortization expenses recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,						September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012						2013								2012
	Amortization of purchased intangibles in cost of product revenues	$		1,248		$		1,909				$			3,744			$			5,726
	Amortization of purchased intangibles in operating expenses			2,487				2,512							7,535						7,318
	Total amortization expenses of purchased intangibles	$		3,735		$		4,421				$			11,279			$			13,044
	Amortization of purchased intangibles is not allocated to the Company’s segments.
	The estimated future amortization expense as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,		Amount
	Remainder of 2013		$		3,724
	2014				14,510
	2015				12,226
	2016				9,880
	2017				4,690
	Total		$		45,030

Restructuring_Costs

Restructuring Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Costs	'
	7. RESTRUCTURING COSTS
	The Company recorded $24.9 million and $6.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $34.6 million and $21.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in restructuring costs. In 2013, the costs were primarily related to certain actions designed to optimize the organization and manage expenses, including actions to reduce or eliminate certain facilities globally and the elimination of approximately 4% of our global workforce and other restructuring actions previously approved by management. These actions are generally intended to gain or improve operating efficiencies and profitability. In addition, the Company recorded other charges associated with changes to the Company’s product roadmap as it focuses on products and solutions with greater revenue and margin potential.
	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s restructuring reserves (in thousands):
		Severance/Other			Facilities			Projects			Total
								Discontinued
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	1,362		$	7,464		$	—		$	8,826
	Additions to the reserve		10,207			24,303			3,098			37,608
	Non-cash write-off of leasehold improvements		—			(2,751	)					(2,751	)
	Cash payments and other usage		(7,777	)		(5,247	)		(2,242	)		(15,266	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	3,792		$	23,769		$	856		$	28,417
	As of September 30, 2013, the restructuring reserve is primarily comprised of facilities-related liabilities. The Company calculated the fair value of its facilities-related liabilities based on the discounted future lease payments less sublease assumptions. This fair value measurement is classified as a Level 3 measurement under ASC 820. The key assumptions used in the valuation model include discount rates, cash flow projections, and estimated sublease income. Discount rates, cash flow projections and sublease assumptions involve significant judgment, are based on management’s estimate of current and forecasted market conditions and are sensitive and susceptible to change.

Balance_Sheet_Details

Balance Sheet Details	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Balance Sheet Details	'
	8. BALANCE SHEET DETAILS
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market with cost computed on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Consideration is given to obsolescence, excessive levels, deterioration and other factors in evaluating net realizable value.
	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	2,414	$	1,871
	Work in process		1,113		799
	Finished goods		104,154		97,290
		$	107,681	$	99,960
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Non-trade receivables	$	8,379	$	10,463
	Prepaid expenses		46,066		35,489
	Derivative assets		7,131		4,158
	Other current assets		5,285		2,429
		$	66,861	$	52,539
	Deferred revenues consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Short-term:
	Service	$	170,583	$	156,487
	Product		73		595
	License		1,400		1,400
		$	172,056	$	158,482
	Long-term:
	Service	$	83,387	$	85,286
	License		4,725		5,775
		$	88,112	$	91,061
	Other accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accrued expenses	$	21,483	$	19,165
	Accrued co-op expenses		4,702		4,571
	Restructuring reserves		14,836		5,347
	Warranty obligations		9,711		10,475
	Derivative liabilities		5,612		3,273
	Employee stock purchase plan withholdings		4,768		10,186
	Other accrued liabilities		10,480		10,001
		$	71,592	$	63,018

Guarantees

Guarantees	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees	'
	9. GUARANTEES
	Warranty
	The Company provides for the estimated costs of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending upon the product sold. In the case of hardware manufactured by Polycom, warranties generally start from the delivery date and continue for one year. Software products generally carry a 90-day warranty from the date of shipment. The Company’s liability under warranties on software products is to provide a corrected copy of any portion of the software found not to be in substantial compliance with the agreed upon specifications. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty obligation include product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. The Company assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities every quarter and makes adjustments to the liability if necessary.
	Changes in the warranty obligation which is included as a component of “Other accrued liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets during the periods are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,					September 30,								September 30,
		2013			2012					2013								2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	9,686		$	9,950			$				10,475			$			10,577
	Accruals for warranties issued during the period		4,295			5,376							12,407						14,839
	Actual charges against warranty reserve during the period		(4,270	)		(4,848	)						(13,171	)					(14,938	)
	Balance at end of period	$	9,711		$	10,478			$				9,711			$			10,478
	Deferred Services Revenue
	The Company offers maintenance contracts for sale on most of its products which allow for customers to receive service and support in addition to, or subsequent to, the expiration of the contractual product warranty. The Company also provides managed services to its customers under contractual arrangements. The Company recognizes the maintenance and managed services revenue from these contracts over the life of the service contract.
	Deferred services revenue of $170.6 million and $156.5 million is short-term and is included as a component of “Deferred revenue” as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and $83.4 million and $85.3 million is long-term and is included in “Long-term deferred revenue” as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Changes in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,				September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012				2013						2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	252,091		$	229,615		$		241,773				$		212,178
	Additions to deferred services revenue		87,993			86,157				268,392						258,777
	Amortization of deferred services revenue		(86,114	)		(80,259	)			(256,195	)					(235,442	)
	Balance at end of period	$	253,970		$	235,513		$		253,970				$		235,513
	The cost of providing these services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $37.3 million and $110.7 million, respectively. The cost of providing these services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $35.5 million and $102.2 million, respectively.
	Officer and Director Indemnifications
	As permitted or required under Delaware law and to the maximum extent allowable under that law, the Company has certain obligations to indemnify its current and former officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was serving, at the Company’s request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification obligations is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that mitigates the Company’s exposure and enables the Company to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of the Company’s insurance policy coverage, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification obligations is not material.
	Other Indemnifications
	As is customary in the Company’s industry, as provided for in local law in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, the Company’s standard contracts provide remedies to its customers, such as defense, settlement, or payment of judgment for intellectual property claims related to the use of its products. From time to time, the Company indemnifies customers against combinations of loss, expense, or liability arising from various trigger events related to the sale and the use of its products and services. In addition, from time to time the Company also provides protection to customers against claims related to undiscovered liabilities, additional product liability or environmental obligations.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt	'
	10. DEBT
	On September 13, 2013, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries from time to time party thereto as guarantors, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. The Credit Agreement provides for a $250.0 million term loan (the “Term Loan”) maturing on September 13, 2018 (the “Maturity Date”) and bears interest at the Company’s option at either a base rate plus a spread of 0.50% to 1.00%, or a reserve adjusted LIBOR rate plus a spread of 1.50% to 2.00% based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio for the preceding four fiscal quarters.
	The Company entered into the Credit Agreement in conjunction with and for purposes of funding purchases of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a $250.0 million modified “Dutch Auction” self-tender offer announced in September 2013. See Note 13 for further details. Any remainder of such proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. Interest is due and payable in arrears quarterly for loans bearing interest at the base rate and at the end of an interest period (or at each three month interval in the case of loans with interest periods greater than three months) in the case of loans bearing interest at the reserve adjusted LIBOR rate. The Term Loan is payable in quarterly installments of principal equal to $1,562,500 beginning on December 31, 2013, with the remaining outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan being due and payable on the Maturity Date. The Company may prepay the Term Loan, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty. Amounts repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. The Term Loan is secured by substantially all the assets of certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. The Company is also obligated to pay other customary closing fees, arrangement fees, and administration fees for a credit facility of this size and type. Total debt issuance costs incurred on the Term Loan were approximately $2.6 million and were recorded in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and “Other assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and are being amortized over the life of the Term Loan.
	The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, grant liens, make investments, incur indebtedness, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, make acquisitions, pay dividends or make distributions, repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates and enter into restrictive agreements, in each case subject to customary exceptions for a credit facility of this size and type. The Company is also required to maintain compliance with a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio and a consolidated secured leverage ratio. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2013.
	The Credit Agreement includes customary events of default that include, among other things, non-payment defaults, covenant defaults, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, cross default to material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency defaults, material judgment defaults, ERISA defaults and a change of control default. The occurrence of an event of default could result in the acceleration of the obligations under the Credit Agreement. Under certain circumstances, a default interest rate will apply on all obligations during the existence of an event of default under the Credit Agreement at a per annum rate equal to 2.00% above the applicable interest rate for any overdue principal and 2.00% above the rate applicable for base rate loans for any other overdue amounts.
	At September 30, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on the Term Loan was 2.02%, the accrued interest on the Term Loan was $0.2 million, and the current and noncurrent portion of the outstanding Term Loan was $6.2 million and $243.8 million, respectively. The Company has elected not to record its Term Loan at fair value, but has measured it at fair value for disclosure purposes. At September 30, 2013, the carrying amount of the Term Loan approximated its estimated fair value based on observable market inputs. See Note 11.
	The following table sets forth total interest expense recognized related to the Term Loan (in thousands):
		Three and Nine		Three and Nine
		Months Ended		Months Ended
		September 30, 2013		September 30, 2012
	Contractual interest expense	$	305	$	—
	Amortization of debt issuance costs		52		—
		$	357	$	—

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea

Investments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments and Fair Value Measurements	'
	11. INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $712.7 million and $477.1 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks, as well as highly liquid investments in money market funds, time deposits, savings accounts, commercial paper, U.S. government and agency securities, municipal securities and corporate debt securities. At September 30, 2013, the Company’s long-term investments had contractual maturities of one to two years.
	In addition, the Company has short-term and long-term investments in debt securities which are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Cost Basis								Unrealized						Unrealized							Fair Value
										Gains						Losses
	Balances at September 30, 2013:
	Investments—Short-term:
	U.S. government securities	$		14,531				$			7				$		—				$			14,538
	U.S. government agency securities			51,293							30						—							51,323
	Non-U.S. government securities			13,933							7						—							13,940
	Corporate debt securities			81,527							22						(11	)						81,538
	Total investments – short-term	$		161,284				$			66				$		(11	)			$			161,339
	Investments—Long-term:
	U.S. government securities	$		17,480				$			11				$		—				$			17,491
	U.S. government agency securities			29,057							16						(1	)						29,072
	Non-U.S. government securities			7,737							10						—							7,747
	Corporate debt securities			25,465							9						(8	)						25,466
	Total investments – long-term	$		79,739				$			46				$		(9	)			$			79,776
	Balances at December 31, 2012:
	Investments—Short-term:
	U.S. government securities	$		24,205				$			3				$		—				$			24,208
	U.S. government agency securities			101,036							39						(5	)						101,070
	Non-U.S. government securities			1,527							—						—							1,527
	Corporate debt securities			70,386							20						(15	)						70,391
	Total investments – short-term	$		197,154				$			62				$		(20	)			$			197,196
	Investments—Long-term:
	U.S. government securities	$		6,396				$			4				$		—				$			6,400
	U.S. government agency securities			22,145							17						(2	)						22,160
	Non-U.S. government securities			422							—						—							422
	Corporate debt securities			21,368							—						(17	)						21,351
	Total investments – long-term	$		50,331				$			21				$		(19	)			$			50,333
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents and investments held in the United States totaled $490.9 million with the remaining $462.9 million held by various foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States.
	U.S. Government Securities
	The Company’s U.S. government securities are mostly comprised of direct U.S. Treasury obligations that are guaranteed by the U.S. government. To ensure that the investment portfolio is sufficiently diversified, the Company’s investment policy requires that a certain percentage of the Company’s portfolio be invested in these types of securities.
	U.S. Government Agency Securities
	The Company’s U.S. government agency securities are mostly comprised of U.S. government agency instruments, including mortgage-backed securities. To ensure that the investment portfolio is sufficiently diversified, the Company’s investment policy requires that a certain percentage of the Company’s portfolio be invested in these types of securities.
	Non-U.S. Government Securities
	The Company’s Non-U.S. government securities are mostly comprised of non-U.S. government instruments, including state, municipal and foreign government securities. To ensure that the investment portfolio is sufficiently diversified, the Company’s investment policy allows a certain percentage of the Company’s portfolio be invested in these types of securities.
	Corporate Debt Securities
	The Company’s corporate debt securities are comprised of publicly-traded domestic and foreign corporate debt securities. The Company does not purchase auction rate securities, and cash investments are in instruments that meet high quality credit rating standards, as specified in its investment policy guidelines. These guidelines also limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer or type of instrument.
	Unrealized Losses
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses of the Company’s investments, including those that are categorized as cash equivalents, with unrealized losses aggregated by type of investment instrument and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		Less than 12 Months												12 Months or Greater											Total
		Fair Value				Gross						Fair Value						Gross						Fair Value			Gross
						Unrealized												Unrealized									Unrealized
						Losses												Losses									Losses
	September 30, 2013:
	U.S. government agencies securities	$		11,334		$		(1	)			$			—				$	—					$	11,334		$	(1	)
	Corporate debt securities			39,099				(17	)						2,999					(2		)				42,098			(19	)
	Total investments	$		50,433		$		(18	)			$			2,999				$	(2		)			$	53,432		$	(20	)
	December 31, 2012:
	U.S. government agency securities	$		21,768		$		(7	)			$			—				$	—					$	21,768		$	(7	)
	Corporate debt securities			43,743				(32	)						1,999					—						45,742			(32	)
	Total investments	$		65,511		$		(39	)			$			1,999				$	—					$	67,510		$	(39	)
	The Company reviews the individual securities in its portfolio to determine whether a decline in a security’s fair value below the amortized cost basis is other-than-temporary. If the decline in fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the individual security is written down to its fair value as a new cost basis and the amount of the write-down is accounted for as a realized loss and included in earnings or other comprehensive income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company determined that there were no investments in its portfolio that were other-than temporarily impaired.
	Private Company Investments
	For strategic reasons the Company has made various investments in private companies. The private company investments are carried at cost and written down to their estimated net realizable value when indications exist that these investments have been impaired. The Company did not record such impairment charges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The cost of these investments at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $2.0 million, and is recorded in “Other assets” in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As the basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the Company to develop its own assumptions. This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, the Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including its marketable securities and foreign currency contracts.
	The Company’s cash and investment instruments are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using inputs such as quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices for identical assets in active markets include money market funds and are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	The types of instruments valued based on other observable inputs include U.S. Treasury securities and other government agencies, corporate bonds and commercial paper. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 instruments are priced using quoted market prices for similar instruments or nonbinding market prices that are corroborated by observable market data. There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company does not hold any investments classified as Level 3 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s fixed income available-for-sale securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and other government agency instruments (46%), corporate bonds (31%), commercial paper (15%), non-U.S. Government securities (8%), and money market funds (0%). Included in available-for-sale securities is approximately $10.9 million of cash equivalents, which consist of investments with original maturities of three months or less and include money market funds.
	The principal market where the Company executes its foreign currency contracts is the retail market in an over-the-counter environment with a relatively high level of price transparency. The market participants and the Company’s counterparties are large money center banks and regional banks. The Company’s foreign currency contracts valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and quoted pricing intervals from public data sources such as spot rates, interest rate differentials and credit default rates, which do not involve management judgment. These contracts are typically classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s Term Loan under its Credit Agreement is classified within Level 2 instruments as the borrowings are not actively traded and have a variable interest rate structure based upon market rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities. See Note 10. The Company has elected not to record its Term Loan at fair value, but has measured it at fair value for disclosure purpose. At September 30, 2013, the carrying amount of the Term Loan approximated its estimated fair value based on observable market inputs.
The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities and foreign currency contracts was determined using the following inputs at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
						Fair Value Measurements at
						September 30, 2013 Using
Description		Total				Quoted Prices in Active				Significant Other
						Markets for				Observable Inputs
						Identical Assets
						(Level 1)				(Level 2)
Assets:
Fixed income available-for-sale securities (a)		$		252,040		$		200		$		251,840
Foreign currency forward contracts (b)		$		7,131		$		—		$		7,131
Liabilities:
Foreign currency forward contracts (c)		$		5,612		$		—		$		5,612
						Fair Value Measurements at
						December 31,  2012 Using
Description		Total				Quoted Prices in Active				Significant Other
						Markets for				Observable Inputs
						Identical Assets
						(Level 1)				(Level 2)
Assets:
Fixed income available-for-sale securities (a)		$		260,792		$		795		$		259,997
Foreign currency forward contracts (b)		$		4,158		$		—		$		4,158
Liabilities:
Foreign currency forward contracts (c)		$		3,273		$		—		$		3,273
(a)              Included in cash and cash equivalents, and short and long-term investments on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(b)              Included in short-term derivative assets as prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(c)              Included in short-term derivative liabilities as other accrued liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s current accounting policy and practice is not to offset derivative assets and liabilities in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 12.

Foreign_Currency_Derivatives

Foreign Currency Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Foreign Currency Derivatives	'
	12. FOREIGN CURRENCY DERIVATIVES
	The Company maintains a foreign currency risk management program that is designed to reduce the volatility of the Company’s economic value from the effects of unanticipated currency fluctuations. International operations generate both revenues and costs denominated in foreign currencies. The Company’s policy is to hedge significant foreign currency revenues and costs to improve margin visibility and reduce earnings volatility associated with unexpected changes in currency.
	Non-Designated Hedges
	The Company hedges its net foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities primarily resulting from foreign currency denominated revenues and expenses with foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the risk that the Company’s earnings and cash flows will be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These derivative instruments are carried at fair value with changes in the fair value recorded as interest and other income (expense), net. These derivative instruments do not subject the Company to material balance sheet risk due to exchange rate movements because gains and losses on these derivatives are intended to offset remeasurement gains and losses on the hedged assets and liabilities. The Company executes non-designated foreign exchange forward contracts primarily denominated in Euros, British Pounds, Israeli Shekels, Brazilian Reais, Japanese Yen and Mexican Pesos.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s notional position by currency, and approximate U.S. dollar equivalent, at September 30, 2013 of the outstanding non-designated hedges (in thousands):
		Original Maturities of 360 Days or Less															Original Maturities of Greater than 360 Days
		Foreign				USD					Positions					Foreign					USD					Positions
		Currency				Equivalent										Currency					Equivalent
	Brazilian Real		4,103			$		1,840				Buy						—			$		—				—
	Brazilian Real		8,372			$		3,624				Sell						—			$		—				—
	Euro		16,807			$		22,753				Buy						15,150			$		19,663				Buy
	Euro		33,127			$		44,313				Sell						38,385			$		50,982				Sell
	British Pound		4,690			$		7,413				Buy						10,552			$		16,730				Buy
	British Pound		2,610			$		4,216				Sell						14,803			$		23,469				Sell
	Israeli Shekel		47,442			$		13,454				Buy						68,436			$		17,405				Buy
	Israeli Shekel		103,486			$		29,039				Sell						—			$		—				—
	Japanese Yen		332,319			$		3,383				Buy						—			$		—				—
	Japanese Yen		643,072			$		6,547				Sell						—			$		—				—
	Mexican Peso		8,739			$		665				Buy						—			$		—				—
	Mexican Peso		18,566			$		1,401				Sell						—			$		—				—
	The following table shows the effect of the Company’s non-designated hedges in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments		Location of Gain or (Loss)		Amount of Gain or (Loss)
			Recognized in Income on Derivative		Recognized in Income on Derivative
					September 30,									September 30,
					2013									2012
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other income (expense)		$		(182	)				$			571
	Cash Flow Hedges
	The Company’s foreign exchange risk management program objective is to reduce volatility in the Company’s economic value from unanticipated foreign currency fluctuations. The Company designates forward contracts as cash flow hedges of foreign currency revenues and expenses, primarily the Euro, British Pound and Israeli Shekel. All foreign exchange contracts are carried at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the maximum duration of foreign exchange forward contracts does not exceed thirteen months. Speculation is prohibited by policy.
	To receive hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, all cash flow hedging relationships are formally designated at hedge inception, and tested both prospectively and retrospectively to ensure the forward contracts are highly effective in offsetting changes to future cash flows on the hedged transactions. The Company records effective spot to spot changes in these cash flow hedges in cumulative other comprehensive income until they are reclassified to revenue, cost of revenue or operating expenses together with the hedged transaction. The time value on forward contracts is excluded from effectiveness testing and recorded to interest and other income (expense), net over the life of the contract together with any ineffective portion of the hedge.
	The following tables show the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013:		Gain or (Loss)					Location of		Gain or (Loss)							Location of					Gain or (Loss)
			Recognized in					Gain or (Loss) Reclassified		Reclassified							Gain or (Loss)					Recognized—
			OCI—Effective					from OCI into		from OCI into							Recognized—					Ineffective
			Portion					Income—Effective		Income—Effective Portion							Ineffective Portion					Portion and
								Portion									and Amount					Amount
																	Excluded from					Excluded
																	Effectiveness Testing					from
																						Effectiveness
																						Testing (a)
	Foreign exchange contracts		$		1,793			Product revenues		$		1,190				Other income (expense)				$				273
								Cost of revenues				138
								Sales and marketing				(73	)
								Research and development				1,075
								General and administrative				26
	Total		$		1,793					$		2,356								$				273
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012:
	Foreign exchange		$		789			Product revenues		$		7,263				Other income (expense)				$				(63	)
	contracts
								Cost of revenues				(721	)
								Sales and marketing				(1,228	)
								Research and development				(842	)
								General and administrative				(1,083	)
	Total		$		789					$		3,389								$				(63	)
	(a)              For both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no gains or losses recorded for the ineffective portion.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company estimated that all values reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be reclassified to income within the next twelve months.
	In the event the underlying forecasted transaction does not occur, or it becomes probable that it will not occur, the related hedge gains and losses on the cash flow hedge would be immediately reclassified to interest and other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no such gains or losses.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s notional position by currency, and approximate U.S. dollar equivalent, at September 30, 2013 of the outstanding cash flow hedges, all of which are carried at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets (foreign currency and dollar amounts in thousands):
		Original Maturities
		of Greater than 360 Days
		Foreign				USD					Positions
		Currency				Equivalent
	Euro		27,850			$		36,844				Buy
	Euro		56,315			$		74,943				Sell
British Pound		22,348			$		34,591				Buy
British Pound		20,697			$		31,829				Sell
Israeli Shekel		88,764			$		24,026				Buy
There were no outstanding cash flow hedge contracts with original maturities of 360 days or less at September 30, 2013. The estimates of fair value are based on applicable and commonly quoted prices and prevailing financial market information as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. See Note 11 for additional information on the fair value measurements for all financial assets and liabilities, including derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis.
The following table shows the Company’s derivative instruments measured at gross fair value as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
	Fair Value of																	Fair Value of Derivatives
	Derivatives Designated																	Not Designated as Hedge
	as Hedge Instruments																	Instruments
	September 30,					December 31,										September 30,											December 31,
	2013					2012										2013											2012
Derivative assets (a):
Foreign exchange contracts	$		3,614			$		2,992						$						3,517					$			1,166
Derivative liabilities (b):
Foreign exchange contracts	$		3,032			$		1,760						$						2,580					$			1,513
(a)              All derivative assets are recorded as prepaid and other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(b)              All derivative liabilities are recorded as other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Offsetting Derivative Assets and Liabilities
The Company has entered into master netting arrangements with each of its derivative counterparties. These arrangements afford the right to net derivative assets against liabilities with the same counterparty. Under certain default provisions, the Company has the right to setoff any other amounts payable to the payee whether or not arising under this agreement. As a result of the netting provisions, the Company’s maximum amount of loss under derivative transactions due to credit risk is limited to the net amounts due from the counterparties under the derivative contracts. Although netting is permitted, it is currently the Company’s policy and practice to record all derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The following table sets forth the offsetting of derivative assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
																							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
																							Condensed Consolidated
																							Balance Sheets
	Gross					Gross								Net Amounts									Financial							Cash					Net
	Amounts of Recognized					Amounts								Of Assets									Instruments							Collateral					Amount
	Assets					Offset in the								Presented																Pledged
						Condensed								In the
						Consolidated								Condensed
						Balance Sheets								Consolidated
														Balance
														Sheets
As of September 30, 2013:
Foreign exchange contracts	$		7,131			$		—					$			7,131					$				(4,731	)			$		—			$		2,400
As of December 31, 2012:
Foreign exchange contracts	$		4,158			$		—					$			4,158					$				(3,227	)			$		—			$		931
The following table sets forth the offsetting of derivative liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
																											Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
																											Condensed Consolidated
																											Balance Sheets
	Gross									Gross								Net Amounts									Financial					Cash					Net
	Amounts of Recognized									Amounts								Of Liabilities									Instruments					Collateral					Amount
	Liabilities									Offset in the								Presented														Pledged
										Condensed								In the
										Consolidated								Condensed
										Balance Sheets								Consolidated
																		Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2013:
Foreign exchange contracts	$		5,612					$				—				$				5,612					$			(4,731	)		$		—			$		881
As of December 31, 2012:
Foreign exchange contracts	$		3,273					$				—				$				3,273					$			(3,227	)		$		—			$		46

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity	'
	13. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Share Repurchase Program
	From time to time, the Company’s Board of Directors has approved plans under which the Company may at its discretion purchase shares of its common stock in the open market. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 1.7 million and 9.8 million shares of common stock, respectively, in the open market for $17.7 million and $102.3 million of cash, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 2.9 million and $4.7 million shares of common stock, respectively, in the open market for cash of $30.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively.
	In September 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of $400.0 million, or approximately 20 percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock, through a $250.0 million modified “Dutch Auction” self-tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) and subsequent open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions. The Company expects to fund the program with $150.0 million in cash and its $250.0 million Term Loan (see Note 10). The Company commenced the Tender Offer on September 13, 2013, as amended subsequently, at a price of not less than $10.00 and not more than $11.50 per share and, at the midpoint of such range, expects to purchase approximately 23 million shares. The Tender Offer was expected to expire on October 30, 2013. The $400.0 million share repurchase authorization supersedes any remaining outstanding share repurchase authorizations as of the commencement of the Tender Offer. All repurchases are expected to be completed within one year. To the extent that the Company accepts tender offers from shareholders at a price in excess of the fair market value upon closing of the Tender Offer, the Company will incur a charge for the excess of the purchase price over fair value, which will be recorded as a non-operating expense in the consolidated statement of operations.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands). The tax effects were not shown separately, as the impacts were not material.
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013	Unrealized Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges				Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for- Sale Securities			Foreign Currency Translation			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	1,014		$		2	$		3,180	$		4,196
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		1,793				10			579			2,382
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a)		(2,356	)			66			—			(2,290	)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		(563	)			76			579			92
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	451		$		78	$		3,759	$		4,288
	(a)              See Note 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details of gains and losses, net of taxes, reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income related to cash flow hedges and each line item of net income affected by the reclassification. Gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified into “Other income (expense)” in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net of taxes.

StockBased_Employee_Benefit_Pl

Stock-Based Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Employee Benefit Plans	'
	14. STOCK-BASED EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Stock-Based Compensation Expense
	The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and its allocation within the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,					September 30,				September 30,
		2013							2012					2013				2012
	Cost of sales – product	$		686				$			969		$		2,252		$		2,720
	Cost of sales – service			1,479							1,920				4,600				4,952
	Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of sales			2,165							2,889				6,852				7,672
	Sales and marketing			5,889							9,765				19,742				27,069
	Research and development			3,669							5,409				12,578				14,808
	General and administrative			5,479							6,760				14,128				15,522
	Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses			15,037							21,934				46,448				57,399
	Stock-based compensation costs related to employee equity awards and employee stock purchases			17,202							24,823				53,300				65,071
	Tax benefit			(7,960	)						(4,637	)			(24,663	)			(56,764	)
	Stock-based compensation expense related to employee equity awards and employee stock purchases, net of tax	$		9,242				$			20,186		$		28,637		$		8,307
	Stock-based compensation expense is not allocated to segments because it is centrally managed at the corporate level.
	Valuation Assumptions
	Non-qualified stock options
	The Company did not grant any stock options during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company granted 479,571 non-qualified stock option shares to certain employees. Per the terms of the option grant, 50% of the options vest on the one year anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 50% will vest on the second anniversary of the grant date. The stock-based compensation cost recognized in connection with the non-qualified stock options was $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and was $0.4 million and $0.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The weighted-average estimated fair value of non-qualified stock options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $4.45 per share.
	The fair value of each employee non-qualified stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and is recognized as expense using the graded vesting method using the following assumptions:
		For the Three and Nine Months
		Ended September 30, 2012
	Expected volatility		51.24		%
	Risk-free interest rate		0.5		%
	Expected dividends		0.0		%
	Expected life (yrs)		3.70
	The Company computed its expected volatility assumption based on blended volatility (50% historical volatility and 50% implied volatility). The selection of the blended volatility assumption was based upon the Company’s assessment that blended volatility is more representative of the Company’s future stock price trends as it weighs in the longer term historical volatility with the near term future implied volatility.
	The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates appropriate for the expected life of the Company’s employee stock options.
	The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history of not paying dividends and the resultant future expectation of dividend payouts.
	The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period that the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules, and expectation of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of its stock-based awards.
	As the stock-based compensation expense recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, such amounts have been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	For purchase rights granted pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”), the estimated fair value per share of employee stock purchase rights for the two-year offering period commencing on August 1, 2013 ranged from $2.60 to $4.06, compared to fair value per share from $2.69 to $3.96 for the two-year offering period commencing on August 1, 2012. The estimated fair value per share of employee stock purchase rights for the two-year offering period commencing on February 1, 2013 ranged from $2.93 to $4.57, compared to fair value per share from $6.43 to $8.40 for the two-year offering period commencing on February 1, 2012.
	The fair value of each employee stock purchase right grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and is recognized as expense using the graded vesting method using the following assumptions:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Expected volatility	42.40-48.89%			55.91-61.78%		42.40-50.55%		48.27-61.78%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.08-0.35%			0.14-0.24%		0.08-0.35%		0.09-0.24%
	Expected dividends	0.0	%		0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%
	Expected life (yrs)	0.5-2.0			0.5-2.0		0.5-2.0		0.5-2.0
	The Company computed its expected volatility assumption based on blended volatility (50% historical volatility and 50% implied volatility). The selection of the blended volatility assumption was based upon the Company’s assessment that blended volatility is more representative of the Company’s future stock price trends as it weighs in the longer term historical volatility with the near term future implied volatility.
	The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates appropriate for the expected life of the Company’s employee stock purchases.
	The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history of not paying dividends and the resultant future expectation of dividend payouts.
	The expected life of employee stock purchase rights represents the contractual terms of the underlying program.
	As the stock-based compensation expense recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, such amounts have been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
	Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units
	The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may also grant performance shares and restricted stock units under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan to officers, to non-employee directors and to certain other employees or consultants as a component of the Company’s broad-based equity compensation program. Performance shares represent a commitment by the Company to deliver shares of Polycom common stock at a future point in time, subject to the fulfillment by the Company of pre-defined performance criteria. Such awards will be earned only if performance goals over the performance periods established by or under the direction of the Compensation Committee are met. The number of performance shares subject to vesting is determined at the end of a given performance period. Generally, if the performance criteria are deemed achieved, performance shares will vest from one to three years from the anniversary of the grant date. Restricted stock units are time-based awards that generally vest over a period of one to three years from the date of grant.
	The Company grants performance shares (“PSUs”) which contain a market condition based on Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) and which measure the Company’s relative performance against the NASDAQ Composite Index. The PSUs will be delivered in common stock at the end of the vesting period based on the Company’s actual performance compared to the target performance criteria and may equal from zero percent (0%) to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the target award. Stock-based compensation expense for these PSUs is recognized using the graded vesting method. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company granted 1,373,329 and 1,795,893, respectively, of PSUs to certain employees and executives, at a weighted average fair value of $8.83 and $17.21 per share, respectively. The TSR performance of those PSU grants is measured against the NASDAQ Composite Index. The 2013 and 2012 grants are generally divided evenly over three annual performance periods commencing with calendar year 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company also granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The fair value of RSUs is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The awards generally vest over one to three years in equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant and will be delivered in common stock at the end of each vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense for these RSUs is recognized using the graded vesting method. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company granted 4,571,571 and 4,432,219 RSUs at a weighted average fair value of $10.12 and $15.48 per share, respectively.
	Non-employee directors currently receive annual awards of RSUs. The RSUs vest quarterly in four equal installments over approximately one year from the date of grant. The fair value of these awards is the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense for these awards is generally amortized over six months from the date of grant due to voluntary termination provisions contained in the underlying agreements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company granted 100,000 and 120,000 RSUs, respectively, to non-employee directors, at a weighted average fair value of $11.14 and $10.77 per share, respectively.
	On July 23, 2013, the Company granted 98,700 PSUs and 98,700 RSUs to its Interim Chief Executive Officer (the “Interim CEO”). The fair value per share of RSUs and PSUs were $11.18 and $9.70, respectively. Both PSU and RSU awards will vest upon the earlier of (a) the last date on which he remains the Interim CEO, and (b) the three-year anniversary of the grant date, provided the performance goal is achieved. The total number of the awards that will vest will be determined as the total PSUs and RSUs granted multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the whole number of months he served as the Interim CEO, and the denominator of which is equal to 36, with such product rounded down to the nearest whole share. For the 98,700 performance shares awarded, the TSR will be measured against the NASDAQ Composite Index for the actual service period of the Interim CEO. The stock-based compensation expense for those awards will be recognized ratably over a 36-month period for the actual service period.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	Under the current ESPP, the Company can grant stock purchase rights to all eligible employees during a two-year offering period with purchase dates at the end of each six-month purchase period (each January and July). Participants lock in a purchase price per share at the beginning of the offering period upon plan enrollment. If the stock price on any subsequent offering period enrollment date is less than the lock-in price, the ESPP has a reset feature that automatically withdraws and re-enrolls participants into a new two-year offering period. Further, the ESPP permits participants to increase or decrease contribution elections at the end of a purchase period for future purchase periods within the same offering period. Shares are purchased through employees’ payroll deductions, currently up to a maximum of 15% of employees’ compensation, at purchase prices equal to 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at either the date of the employee’s entrance to the offering period or the purchase date. No participant may purchase more than $25,000 worth of common stock in any one calendar year period, or 10,000 shares of common stock on any one purchase date.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, 2,904,287 and 1,867,683 shares were purchased under ESPP, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, there were 5,259,136 shares available to be issued under the ESPP. The stock-based compensation cost recognized in connection with the ESPP was $2.4 million and $10.3 million, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and was $5.4 million and $15.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
	The Company also modified the terms of certain existing awards under its ESPP during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the modification was due to increases in contribution elections for future purchase periods by certain participants, as well as a result of the stock price as of the new offering period date being lower than it was on the initial enrollment date, which triggered the reset and rollover feature of the ESPP and incurred a resultant cumulative $1.4 million of incremental expenses to be recognized over the vesting term. Approximately $7.9 million of incremental expenses (including those from prior year modifications) was recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the modification was primarily as a result of the stock price as of the new offering period date being lower than it was on the initial enrollment date, which triggered the reset and rollover feature of the ESPP, and incurred a resultant cumulative $20.2 million of incremental expenses to be recognized over the vesting term. Approximately $6.1 million of the incremental expenses was recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Computation_of_Net_Income_Per_

Computation of Net Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Computation of Net Income Per Share	'
	15. COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER SHARE
	Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the additional dilution from potential issuances of common stock, such as stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share when their effect is antidilutive.
	As the Company incurred net losses from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the shares used in computing basic and diluted net income (loss) per share will be the same because including the potential dilutive common stock equivalents would have had an antidilutive effect.
	The following table sets forth the weighted average outstanding shares subject to options to purchase common stock, restricted common stock awards, performance shares and stock purchase rights (in thousands) that were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,
		2013		2012		2013			2012
	Potential dilutive common stock equivalents:
	Stock options to purchase common stock		4		71			8		302
	Restricted common stock awards		2,737		1,103			2,562		1,319
	Performance shares		201		115			455		267
	Stock purchase rights		740		157			572		56
	Total		3,682		1,446			3,597		1,944

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Segment Information	'
	16. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company conducts its business globally and is managed geographically in three segments: (1) Americas, which consist of North, Central and Latin Americas, (2) Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) and (3) Asia Pacific (“APAC”). The segments are determined in accordance with how management views and evaluates the Company’s business and allocates its resources, and based on the criteria as outlined in the authoritative guidance. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company began to allocate certain services costs previously reported within the Americas segment into both the EMEA and APAC segments in order to more appropriately align costs among the segments with the associated revenues. As such, all prior periods reported were also reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	Segment Revenue and Profit
	Segment revenues are attributed to a theater based on the ordering location of the customer. A significant portion of each segment’s expenses arise from shared services and infrastructure that Polycom has historically allocated to the segments in order to realize economies of scale and to use resources efficiently. These expenses include information technology services, facilities and other infrastructure costs.
	Segment Data
	The results of the reportable segments are derived directly from Polycom’s management reporting system. The results are based on Polycom’s method of internal reporting and are not reported in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Management measures the performance of each segment based on several metrics, including contribution margin as defined below. For internal reporting purposes and determination of segment contribution margins, geographic segment revenues may differ slightly from actual geographic revenues due to internal revenue allocations between the Company’s segments. Asset data, with the exception of gross accounts receivable, is not reviewed by management at the segment level.
	Financial information for each reportable geographical segment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, based on the Company’s internal management reporting system and as utilized by the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer who is its Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), is as follows (in thousands):
		Americas							EMEA						APAC								Total
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013:
	Revenue	$	177,285					$		80,015				$			79,161					$		336,461
	% of total revenue		53		%					24	%						23		%					100	%
	Contribution margin		69,899							34,094							30,281							134,274
	% of segment revenue		39		%					43	%						38		%					40	%
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012:
	Revenue	$	170,965					$		78,569				$			85,858					$		335,392
	% of total revenue		51		%					23	%						26		%					100	%
	Contribution margin		67,438							28,581							34,732							130,751
	% of segment revenue		39		%					36	%						40		%					39	%
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Revenue	$	523,895					$		248,834				$			247,718					$		1,020,447
	% of total revenue		52		%					24	%						24		%					100	%
	Contribution margin		207,876							103,703							98,364							409,943
	% of segment revenue		40		%					42	%						40		%					40	%
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
	Revenue	$	513,869					$		252,289				$			273,444					$		1,039,602
	% of total revenue		50		%					24	%						26		%					100	%
	Contribution margin		212,788							98,935							116,637							428,360
	% of segment revenue		41		%					39	%						43		%					41	%
	As of September 30, 2013: Gross accounts receivable	$	97,314					$		61,540				$			58,734					$		217,588
	% of total gross accounts receivable		45		%					28	%						27		%					100	%
	As of December 31, 2012: Gross accounts receivable		100,494							67,529							71,128							239,151
	% of total gross accounts receivable		42		%					28	%						30		%					100	%
	Segment contribution margin includes all geographic segment revenues less the related cost of sales and direct sales and marketing expenses. Management allocates some infrastructure costs such as facilities and IT costs in determining segment contribution margin. Contribution margin is used, in part, to evaluate the performance of, and allocate resources to, each of the segments. Certain operating expenses are not allocated to segments because they are separately managed at the corporate level. These unallocated costs include corporate manufacturing costs, sales and marketing costs other than direct sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, general and administrative costs, such as legal and accounting, stock-based compensation costs, acquisition-related costs, amortization of purchased intangibles, restructuring costs and interest and other income (expense), net.
	The reconciliation of segment information to Polycom consolidated totals is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,					September 30,							September 30,
		2013				2012					2013							2012
	Segment contribution margin	$	134,274			$	130,751			$		409,943				$				428,360
	Corporate and unallocated costs		(110,640	)			(106,718	)				(323,645	)							(314,247	)
	Stock-based compensation		(17,202	)			(24,823	)				(53,300	)							(65,071	)
	Effect of stock-based compensation cost on warranty expense		(120	)			(169	)				(421	)							(541	)
	Acquisition-related costs		(39	)			(6,334	)				(3,411	)							(11,793	)
	Amortization of purchased intangibles		(3,735	)			(4,421	)				(11,279	)							(13,044	)
	Restructuring costs		(24,887	)			(6,171	)				(34,639	)							(21,829	)
	Interest and other income (expense), net		(1,634	)			(230	)				(2,777	)							(3,010	)
	Loss from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(23,983	)		$	(18,115	)		$		(19,529	)			$				(1,175	)
		September 30,				December 31,
		2013				2012
	Gross accounts receivables	$	217,588			$	239,151
	Returns and related reserves		(39,643	)			(41,576	)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(2,722	)			(2,921	)
	Total trade receivables, net	$	175,223			$	194,654
	The following table summarizes the Company’s revenues by groups of similar products and services as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,					September 30,							September 30,
		2013				2012					2013							2012
	Net Revenues:
	UC group systems	$	221,370			$	225,780			$		686,795				$				717,982
	UC personal devices		56,920				45,731					157,014								134,095
	UC platform		58,171				63,881					176,638								187,525
	Total	$	336,461			$	335,392			$		1,020,447				$				1,039,602
	During both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, one customer from the Americas segment, ScanSource Communications (“ScanSource”), accounted for 17% of the Company’s revenues. During both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, ScanSource accounted for 14% of the Company’s revenues. At September 30, 2013, ScanSource accounted for 13% of total gross accounts receivable and no single customer accounted for more than 10% of gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2012.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'
	17. INCOME TAXES
	During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Company identified certain prior period errors which affected the income tax provisions and related tax balance sheet accounts for the interim and annual periods in the years ended December 31, 2010 through 2012 and the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Company has revised the financial information to reflect the correction of the identified errors in the periods in which they originated. For additional details, see Note 1 Basis of Presentation – Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements.
	The following table presents the income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations and the effective tax rates:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,					September 30,					September 30,
		2013				2012					2013					2012
	Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (in thousands)	$	(5	)		$	(2,709	)		$		(2,963	)		$		105
	Effective tax rate		0.02		%		15.0		%			15.2		%			(8.9	)%
	The Company’s effective tax rate was 0.02% and 15.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 15.2% and (8.9)% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to discrete benefits recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, $2.2 million of which was recorded in the first quarter of 2013 related to the reinstatement of the federal research and development tax credit signed into law on January 2, 2013, but retroactive to 2012, $1.0 million of which was recorded in the second quarter of 2013 related to previously non-deductible acquisition-related expenses that became deductible in the quarter, and a $2.0 million reserve release inclusive of interest which was recorded in the third quarter due to the expiration of a statute of limitations. In addition, $1.5 million of tax benefits realized on disqualifying dispositions of stock from the Company’s employee stock purchase plan were recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $0.5 million of which was recorded in the third quarter.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, discrete benefits from reserve releases for statute expirations were $3.2 million and $3.6 million, inclusive of interest, respectively.  Also reflected in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were impacts associated with proportional earnings from the Company’s operations in lower tax jurisdictions and other recurring permanent adjustments including non-deductible stock-based compensation expense.
	As of September 30, 2013, the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $22.6 million, all of which would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if realized. The Company recognizes interest income and interest expense and penalties on tax overpayments and underpayments within income tax expense. As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company had approximately $1.6 million of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Company anticipates that, except for $1.5 million in uncertain tax positions that may be reduced related to the lapse of various statutes of limitation, there will be no material changes in uncertain tax positions in the next 12 months.
	As a U.S. based multinational company subject to tax in multiple U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions, the Company has entered into agreements with the local governments in certain foreign jurisdictions where it has significant operations to provide it with favorable tax rates in those jurisdictions if certain criteria are met. Tax benefits realized from favorable tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $1.0 million ($0.01 per share) in aggregate, primarily related to the Company’s subsidiary in China which was granted High-New Technology Enterprise (“HNTE”) Recognition in 2008 resulting in a reduction in tax rate from 25% to 15%.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
CONTINGENCIES	'
	18. CONTINGENCIES
	From time to time, the Company is involved in claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company expects that the number and significance of these matters will increase as business expands. In particular, the Company expects to face an increasing number of patent and other intellectual property claims as the number of products and competitors in Polycom’s industry grows and the functionality of video, voice, data and web conferencing products overlap. Any claims or proceedings against the Company, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time, result in the diversion of significant operational resources, or require the Company to enter into royalty or licensing agreements which, if required, may not be available on terms favorable to the Company or at all. If management believes that a loss arising from these matters is probable and can be reasonably estimated, the Company will record a reserve for the loss. As additional information becomes available, any potential liability related to these matters is assessed and the estimates revised. Based on currently available information, management does not believe that the ultimate outcomes of these unresolved matters, individually and in the aggregate, are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, liquidity or results of operations. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and the Company’s view of these matters may change in the future. Were an unfavorable outcome to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations or liquidity for the period in which the unfavorable outcome occurs or becomes probable, and potentially in future periods.
	Litigation
	Class Action Lawsuit. On July 26, 2013, a purported shareholder class action suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Polycom and certain of its current and former officers. The lawsuit alleges that, between July 24, 2012 and July 23, 2013, Polycom issued materially false and misleading statements or failed to disclose information regarding Polycom’s business, operational and compliance policies, including with respect to its Chief Executive Officer’s expense submissions and the Company’s internal controls, alleges that the Company’s financial statements were materially false and misleading, and alleges violations of the federal securities laws and seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. Polycom has not yet responded to the complaint. At this time, the Company is unable to estimate any range of reasonably possible loss relating to the action.
	Derivative Lawsuits. On August 21, 2013, the first of two purported shareholder derivative suits was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against certain of Polycom’s current and former officers and directors. An additional purported shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the same court on October 16, 2013, alleging substantially similar claims. The complaints allege claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and corporate waste, and allege certain defendants failed to maintain adequate internal controls and issued, or authorized the issuance of, materially false and misleading statements, including with respect to Polycom’s Chief Executive Officer’s expense submissions and the Company’s internal controls. The complaints further allege that certain defendants approved an unjustified separation agreement and caused Polycom to repurchase its own stock at artificially inflated prices. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages, corporate governance reforms, and other relief. Polycom has not yet responded to the complaints. On October 31, 2013, the court consolidated the complaints and required the plaintiffs to file an operative complaint. At this time, the Company is unable to estimate any range of reasonably possible loss relating to the actions.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Event	'
	19. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	On October 31, 2013, the Company announced the preliminary results of the Tender Offer which expired on October 30, 2013 (see Note 13).  In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, and based upon the preliminary count by the depositary for the Tender Offer, the Company expects to accept for purchase approximately 27.4 million shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $10.40 per share, for an aggregate cost of $285.4 million, excluding fees and expenses related to the Tender Offer. The total amount of shares expected to be purchased includes the Company’s right to upsize the Tender Offer by up to 2 percent of outstanding shares. Based on the preliminary results, the Company anticipates that following settlement of the Tender Offer, it will have approximately 143.0 million shares outstanding. The number of shares to be purchased and the price per share are preliminary. The actual number of shares validly tendered and not withdrawn, the actual number of shares to be purchased, and the final price per share will be announced following the completion of the confirmation process.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standard update which clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations where a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The guidance will be effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact on the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which requires the release of cumulative translation adjustments into net income when an entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest resulting in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. The guidance will be effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect any material impact on the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that requires an entity to expand the disclosure of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The update requires companies to present reclassifications by component when reporting changes in AOCI balances and to report the effect of significant reclassifications on the respective line items in net income. The guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted the guidance in the quarter ended March 31, 2013, and such adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In December 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that requires disclosure of the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a company’s financial position as well as enhanced disclosure of the rights of setoff associated with a company’s recognized assets and liabilities. In January 2013, the FASB issued another accounting standard update to clarify the scope of the standard issued in December 2011. The Company adopted the guidance in the quarter ended March 31, 2013, and such adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Basis_of_Presentation_Tables

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Revisions to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	'
	The following tables set forth a summary of the revisions to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2012												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
		As Previously Reported			Adjustment				As Revised				As Previously Reported					Adjustment				As Revised
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes for continuing operations	$	(3,384	)	$	675		$		(2,709	)	$			(1,025	)	$		1,130		$		105
	Net loss from continuing operations	$	(14,731	)	$	(675	)	$		(15,406	)	$			(150	)	$		(1,130	)	$		(1,280	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(14,086	)	$	(675	)	$		(14,761	)	$			7,560		$		(1,130	)	$		6,430
	Basic Net Income (loss) Per Share:
	Net loss per share from continuing operations	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)	$		(0.09	)	$			0.00		$		(0.01	)	$		(0.01	)
	Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)	$		(0.08	)	$			0.04		$		(0.01	)	$		0.04
	Diluted net income (loss) per share:
	Net loss per share from continuing operations	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)	$		(0.09	)	$			0.00		$		(0.01	)	$		(0.01	)
	Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.00	)	$		(0.08	)	$			0.04		$		(0.01	)	$		0.04
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (loss)
	Net income (loss)	$	(14,086	)	$	(675	)	$		(14,761	)	$			7,560		$		(1,130	)	$		6,430
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(14,221	)	$	(675	)	$		(14,896	)	$			4,496		$		(1,130	)	$		3,366
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Operating activities
	Net income											$			7,560		$		(1,130	)	$		6,430
	Changes in prepaid expenses and other current assets											$			3,058		$		1,130		$		4,188
	Net cash provided by operating activities											$			121,424		$		—		$		121,424

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations	'
	Summarized results from discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months		Nine Months
		Ended		Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2012		2012
	Revenues	$	17,897		$	60,441
	Income from discontinued operations		4,710			15,137
	Provision for income taxes		4,065			7,427
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	645		$	7,710

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi1

Goodwill and Purchased Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Goodwill by Segment	'
	The following table presents details of the Company’s goodwill by segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Americas				EMEA				APAC				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$		302,768		$		101,882		$		149,169		$	553,819
	Sentri acquisition				5,490				—				—			5,490
	Foreign currency translation				—				—				154			154
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$		308,258		$		101,882		$		149,323		$	559,463
Details of Purchased Intangible Assets by Major Class	'
	The following table presents details of the Company’s total purchased intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013														December 31, 2012
			Gross				Accumulated				Net Value					Gross						Accumulated				Net Value
			Value				Amortization									Value						Amortization
							& Impairment															& Impairment
	Core and developed technology		$		81,178		$		(71,334	)	$		9,844			$			81,178				$	(67,514	)		$	13,664
	Customer and partner relationships				79,525				(46,272	)			33,253						79,025					(39,578	)			39,447
	Non-compete agreements				1,800				(350	)			1,450						—					—				—
	Trade name				3,400				(3,054	)			346						3,400					(2,746	)			654
	Other				4,462				(4,325	)			137						4,462					(4,162	)			300
	Finite-lived intangible assets				170,365				(125,335	)			45,030						168,065					(114,000	)			54,065
	Indefinite life trade name				918				—				918						918					—				918
	Total acquired intangible assets				171,283				(125,335	)			45,948						168,983					(114,000	)			54,983
Summary of Amortization Expenses	'
	The following table summarizes the amortization expenses recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,						September 30,								September 30,
		2013				2012						2013								2012
	Amortization of purchased intangibles in cost of product revenues	$		1,248		$		1,909				$			3,744			$			5,726
	Amortization of purchased intangibles in operating expenses			2,487				2,512							7,535						7,318
	Total amortization expenses of purchased intangibles	$		3,735		$		4,421				$			11,279			$			13,044
Estimated Future Amortization Expense of Purchased Intangible Assets	'
	The estimated future amortization expense as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,		Amount
	Remainder of 2013		$		3,724
	2014				14,510
	2015				12,226
	2016				9,880
	2017				4,690
	Total		$		45,030

Restructuring_Costs_Tables

Restructuring Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Status of Restructuring Reserves	'
	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s restructuring reserves (in thousands):
		Severance/Other			Facilities			Projects			Total
								Discontinued
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	1,362		$	7,464		$	—		$	8,826
	Additions to the reserve		10,207			24,303			3,098			37,608
	Non-cash write-off of leasehold improvements		—			(2,751	)					(2,751	)
	Cash payments and other usage		(7,777	)		(5,247	)		(2,242	)		(15,266	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	3,792		$	23,769		$	856		$	28,417

Balance_Sheet_Details_Tables

Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Inventories	'
	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	2,414	$	1,871
	Work in process		1,113		799
	Finished goods		104,154		97,290
		$	107,681	$	99,960
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	'
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Non-trade receivables	$	8,379	$	10,463
	Prepaid expenses		46,066		35,489
	Derivative assets		7,131		4,158
	Other current assets		5,285		2,429
		$	66,861	$	52,539
Schedule of Deferred Revenues	'
	Deferred revenues consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Short-term:
	Service	$	170,583	$	156,487
	Product		73		595
	License		1,400		1,400
		$	172,056	$	158,482
	Long-term:
	Service	$	83,387	$	85,286
	License		4,725		5,775
		$	88,112	$	91,061
Schedule of Other Accrued Liabilities	'
	Other accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accrued expenses	$	21,483	$	19,165
	Accrued co-op expenses		4,702		4,571
	Restructuring reserves		14,836		5,347
	Warranty obligations		9,711		10,475
	Derivative liabilities		5,612		3,273
	Employee stock purchase plan withholdings		4,768		10,186
	Other accrued liabilities		10,480		10,001
		$	71,592	$	63,018

Guarantees_Tables

Guarantees (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in Warranty Obligation	'
	Changes in the warranty obligation which is included as a component of “Other accrued liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets during the periods are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,					September 30,								September 30,
		2013			2012					2013								2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	9,686		$	9,950			$				10,475			$			10,577
	Accruals for warranties issued during the period		4,295			5,376							12,407						14,839
	Actual charges against warranty reserve during the period		(4,270	)		(4,848	)						(13,171	)					(14,938	)
	Balance at end of period	$	9,711		$	10,478			$				9,711			$			10,478
Changes in Deferred Service Revenues	'
	Changes in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,				September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012				2013						2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	252,091		$	229,615		$		241,773				$		212,178
	Additions to deferred services revenue		87,993			86,157				268,392						258,777
	Amortization of deferred services revenue		(86,114	)		(80,259	)			(256,195	)					(235,442	)
	Balance at end of period	$	253,970		$	235,513		$		253,970				$		235,513

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest Expense Recognized Related to Term Loan	'
	The following table sets forth total interest expense recognized related to the Term Loan (in thousands):
		Three and Nine		Three and Nine
		Months Ended		Months Ended
		September 30, 2013		September 30, 2012
	Contractual interest expense	$	305	$	—
	Amortization of debt issuance costs		52		—
		$	357	$	—

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Short-Term and Long-Term Investments in Debt and Equity Securities	'
	In addition, the Company has short-term and long-term investments in debt securities which are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Cost Basis								Unrealized						Unrealized							Fair Value
										Gains						Losses
	Balances at September 30, 2013:
	Investments—Short-term:
	U.S. government securities	$		14,531				$			7				$		—				$			14,538
	U.S. government agency securities			51,293							30						—							51,323
	Non-U.S. government securities			13,933							7						—							13,940
	Corporate debt securities			81,527							22						(11	)						81,538
	Total investments – short-term	$		161,284				$			66				$		(11	)			$			161,339
	Investments—Long-term:
	U.S. government securities	$		17,480				$			11				$		—				$			17,491
	U.S. government agency securities			29,057							16						(1	)						29,072
	Non-U.S. government securities			7,737							10						—							7,747
	Corporate debt securities			25,465							9						(8	)						25,466
	Total investments – long-term	$		79,739				$			46				$		(9	)			$			79,776
	Balances at December 31, 2012:
	Investments—Short-term:
	U.S. government securities	$		24,205				$			3				$		—				$			24,208
	U.S. government agency securities			101,036							39						(5	)						101,070
	Non-U.S. government securities			1,527							—						—							1,527
	Corporate debt securities			70,386							20						(15	)						70,391
	Total investments – short-term	$		197,154				$			62				$		(20	)			$			197,196
	Investments—Long-term:
	U.S. government securities	$		6,396				$			4				$		—				$			6,400
	U.S. government agency securities			22,145							17						(2	)						22,160
	Non-U.S. government securities			422							—						—							422
	Corporate debt securities			21,368							—						(17	)						21,351
	Total investments – long-term	$		50,331				$			21				$		(19	)			$			50,333
Schedule of Investment in Unrealized Loss Position	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses of the Company’s investments, including those that are categorized as cash equivalents, with unrealized losses aggregated by type of investment instrument and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		Less than 12 Months												12 Months or Greater											Total
		Fair Value				Gross						Fair Value						Gross						Fair Value			Gross
						Unrealized												Unrealized									Unrealized
						Losses												Losses									Losses
	September 30, 2013:
	U.S. government agencies securities	$		11,334		$		(1	)			$			—				$	—					$	11,334		$	(1	)
	Corporate debt securities			39,099				(17	)						2,999					(2		)				42,098			(19	)
	Total investments	$		50,433		$		(18	)			$			2,999				$	(2		)			$	53,432		$	(20	)
	December 31, 2012:
	U.S. government agency securities	$		21,768		$		(7	)			$			—				$	—					$	21,768		$	(7	)
	Corporate debt securities			43,743				(32	)						1,999					—						45,742			(32	)
	Total investments	$		65,511		$		(39	)			$			1,999				$	—					$	67,510		$	(39	)
Schedule of Fair Value of Marketable Securities and Foreign Currency Contracts	'
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities and foreign currency contracts was determined using the following inputs at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
							Fair Value Measurements at
							September 30, 2013 Using
	Description		Total				Quoted Prices in Active				Significant Other
							Markets for				Observable Inputs
							Identical Assets
							(Level 1)				(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Fixed income available-for-sale securities (a)		$		252,040		$		200		$		251,840
	Foreign currency forward contracts (b)		$		7,131		$		—		$		7,131
	Liabilities:
	Foreign currency forward contracts (c)		$		5,612		$		—		$		5,612
							Fair Value Measurements at
							December 31,  2012 Using
	Description		Total				Quoted Prices in Active				Significant Other
							Markets for				Observable Inputs
							Identical Assets
							(Level 1)				(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Fixed income available-for-sale securities (a)		$		260,792		$		795		$		259,997
	Foreign currency forward contracts (b)		$		4,158		$		—		$		4,158
	Liabilities:
	Foreign currency forward contracts (c)		$		3,273		$		—		$		3,273
	(a)              Included in cash and cash equivalents, and short and long-term investments on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	(b)              Included in short-term derivative assets as prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	(c)              Included in short-term derivative liabilities as other accrued liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Foreign_Currency_Derivatives_T

Foreign Currency Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments Measured at Gross Fair Value as Reflected in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The following table shows the Company’s derivative instruments measured at gross fair value as reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		Fair Value of																	Fair Value of Derivatives
		Derivatives Designated																	Not Designated as Hedge
		as Hedge Instruments																	Instruments
		September 30,					December 31,										September 30,											December 31,
		2013					2012										2013											2012
	Derivative assets (a):
	Foreign exchange contracts	$		3,614			$		2,992						$						3,517					$			1,166
	Derivative liabilities (b):
	Foreign exchange contracts	$		3,032			$		1,760						$						2,580					$			1,513
	(a)              All derivative assets are recorded as prepaid and other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	(b)              All derivative liabilities are recorded as other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Offsetting of Derivative Assets	'
	The following table sets forth the offsetting of derivative assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
																								Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
																								Condensed Consolidated
																								Balance Sheets
		Gross					Gross								Net Amounts									Financial							Cash					Net
		Amounts of Recognized					Amounts								Of Assets									Instruments							Collateral					Amount
		Assets					Offset in the								Presented																Pledged
							Condensed								In the
							Consolidated								Condensed
							Balance Sheets								Consolidated
															Balance
															Sheets
	As of September 30, 2013:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$		7,131			$		—					$			7,131					$				(4,731	)			$		—			$		2,400
	As of December 31, 2012:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$		4,158			$		—					$			4,158					$				(3,227	)			$		—			$		931
Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities	'
	The following table sets forth the offsetting of derivative liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
																												Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
																												Condensed Consolidated
																												Balance Sheets
		Gross									Gross								Net Amounts									Financial					Cash					Net
		Amounts of Recognized									Amounts								Of Liabilities									Instruments					Collateral					Amount
		Liabilities									Offset in the								Presented														Pledged
											Condensed								In the
											Consolidated								Condensed
											Balance Sheets								Consolidated
																			Balance Sheets
	As of September 30, 2013:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$		5,612					$				—				$				5,612					$			(4,731	)		$		—			$		881
	As of December 31, 2012:
	Foreign exchange contracts	$		3,273					$				—				$				3,273					$			(3,227	)		$		—			$		46
Not designated as Hedge Instruments	'
Schedule of Notional Amount of Foreign Currency	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s notional position by currency, and approximate U.S. dollar equivalent, at September 30, 2013 of the outstanding non-designated hedges (in thousands):
		Original Maturities of 360 Days or Less															Original Maturities of Greater than 360 Days
		Foreign				USD					Positions					Foreign					USD					Positions
		Currency				Equivalent										Currency					Equivalent
	Brazilian Real		4,103			$		1,840				Buy						—			$		—				—
	Brazilian Real		8,372			$		3,624				Sell						—			$		—				—
	Euro		16,807			$		22,753				Buy						15,150			$		19,663				Buy
	Euro		33,127			$		44,313				Sell						38,385			$		50,982				Sell
	British Pound		4,690			$		7,413				Buy						10,552			$		16,730				Buy
	British Pound		2,610			$		4,216				Sell						14,803			$		23,469				Sell
	Israeli Shekel		47,442			$		13,454				Buy						68,436			$		17,405				Buy
	Israeli Shekel		103,486			$		29,039				Sell						—			$		—				—
	Japanese Yen		332,319			$		3,383				Buy						—			$		—				—
	Japanese Yen		643,072			$		6,547				Sell						—			$		—				—
	Mexican Peso		8,739			$		665				Buy						—			$		—				—
	Mexican Peso		18,566			$		1,401				Sell						—			$		—				—
Effect of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Statements of Operations	'
	The following table shows the effect of the Company’s non-designated hedges in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments		Location of Gain or (Loss)		Amount of Gain or (Loss)
			Recognized in Income on Derivative		Recognized in Income on Derivative
					September 30,									September 30,
					2013									2012
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other income (expense)		$		(182	)				$			571
Cash Flow Hedging	'
Schedule of Notional Amount of Foreign Currency	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s notional position by currency, and approximate U.S. dollar equivalent, at September 30, 2013 of the outstanding cash flow hedges, all of which are carried at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets (foreign currency and dollar amounts in thousands):
		Original Maturities
		of Greater than 360 Days
		Foreign				USD					Positions
		Currency				Equivalent
	Euro		27,850			$		36,844				Buy
	Euro		56,315			$		74,943				Sell
	British Pound		22,348			$		34,591				Buy
	British Pound		20,697			$		31,829				Sell
	Israeli Shekel		88,764			$		24,026				Buy
Effect of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Statements of Operations	'
	The following tables show the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013:		Gain or (Loss)					Location of		Gain or (Loss)							Location of					Gain or (Loss)
			Recognized in					Gain or (Loss) Reclassified		Reclassified							Gain or (Loss)					Recognized—
			OCI—Effective					from OCI into		from OCI into							Recognized—					Ineffective
			Portion					Income—Effective		Income—Effective Portion							Ineffective Portion					Portion and
								Portion									and Amount					Amount
																	Excluded from					Excluded
																	Effectiveness Testing					from
																						Effectiveness
																						Testing (a)
	Foreign exchange contracts		$		1,793			Product revenues		$		1,190				Other income (expense)				$				273
								Cost of revenues				138
								Sales and marketing				(73	)
								Research and development				1,075
								General and administrative				26
	Total		$		1,793					$		2,356								$				273
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012:
	Foreign exchange		$		789			Product revenues		$		7,263				Other income (expense)				$				(63	)
	contracts
								Cost of revenues				(721	)
								Sales and marketing				(1,228	)
								Research and development				(842	)
								General and administrative				(1,083	)
	Total		$		789					$		3,389								$				(63	)
	(a)              For both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no gains or losses recorded for the ineffective portion.

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands). The tax effects were not shown separately, as the impacts were not material.
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013	Unrealized Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges				Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for- Sale Securities			Foreign Currency Translation			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	1,014		$		2	$		3,180	$		4,196
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		1,793				10			579			2,382
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a)		(2,356	)			66			—			(2,290	)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		(563	)			76			579			92
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	451		$		78	$		3,759	$		4,288
	(a)              See Note 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details of gains and losses, net of taxes, reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income related to cash flow hedges and each line item of net income affected by the reclassification. Gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified into “Other income (expense)” in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net of taxes.

StockBased_Employee_Benefit_Pl1

Stock-Based Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary and Allocation of Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and its allocation within the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,					September 30,				September 30,
		2013							2012					2013				2012
	Cost of sales – product	$		686				$			969		$		2,252		$		2,720
	Cost of sales – service			1,479							1,920				4,600				4,952
	Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of sales			2,165							2,889				6,852				7,672
	Sales and marketing			5,889							9,765				19,742				27,069
	Research and development			3,669							5,409				12,578				14,808
	General and administrative			5,479							6,760				14,128				15,522
	Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses			15,037							21,934				46,448				57,399
	Stock-based compensation costs related to employee equity awards and employee stock purchases			17,202							24,823				53,300				65,071
	Tax benefit			(7,960	)						(4,637	)			(24,663	)			(56,764	)
	Stock-based compensation expense related to employee equity awards and employee stock purchases, net of tax	$		9,242				$			20,186		$		28,637		$		8,307
Significant Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Employee Stock Options	'
	The fair value of each employee non-qualified stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and is recognized as expense using the graded vesting method using the following assumptions:
		For the Three and Nine Months
		Ended September 30, 2012
	Expected volatility		51.24		%
	Risk-free interest rate		0.5		%
	Expected dividends		0.0		%
	Expected life (yrs)		3.70
Significant Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'
	The fair value of each employee stock purchase right grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and is recognized as expense using the graded vesting method using the following assumptions:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Expected volatility	42.40-48.89%			55.91-61.78%		42.40-50.55%		48.27-61.78%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.08-0.35%			0.14-0.24%		0.08-0.35%		0.09-0.24%
	Expected dividends	0.0	%		0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%
	Expected life (yrs)	0.5-2.0			0.5-2.0		0.5-2.0		0.5-2.0

Computation_of_Net_Income_Per_1

Computation of Net Income Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the weighted average outstanding shares subject to options to purchase common stock, restricted common stock awards, performance shares and stock purchase rights (in thousands) that were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,
		2013		2012		2013			2012
	Potential dilutive common stock equivalents:
	Stock options to purchase common stock		4		71			8		302
	Restricted common stock awards		2,737		1,103			2,562		1,319
	Performance shares		201		115			455		267
	Stock purchase rights		740		157			572		56
	Total		3,682		1,446			3,597		1,944

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Financial Information by Reportable Segment	'
	Financial information for each reportable geographical segment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, based on the Company’s internal management reporting system and as utilized by the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer who is its Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), is as follows (in thousands):
		Americas							EMEA						APAC								Total
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013:
	Revenue	$	177,285					$		80,015				$			79,161					$		336,461
	% of total revenue		53		%					24	%						23		%					100	%
	Contribution margin		69,899							34,094							30,281							134,274
	% of segment revenue		39		%					43	%						38		%					40	%
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012:
	Revenue	$	170,965					$		78,569				$			85,858					$		335,392
	% of total revenue		51		%					23	%						26		%					100	%
	Contribution margin		67,438							28,581							34,732							130,751
	% of segment revenue		39		%					36	%						40		%					39	%
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Revenue	$	523,895					$		248,834				$			247,718					$		1,020,447
	% of total revenue		52		%					24	%						24		%					100	%
	Contribution margin		207,876							103,703							98,364							409,943
	% of segment revenue		40		%					42	%						40		%					40	%
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
	Revenue	$	513,869					$		252,289				$			273,444					$		1,039,602
	% of total revenue		50		%					24	%						26		%					100	%
	Contribution margin		212,788							98,935							116,637							428,360
	% of segment revenue		41		%					39	%						43		%					41	%
	As of September 30, 2013: Gross accounts receivable	$	97,314					$		61,540				$			58,734					$		217,588
	% of total gross accounts receivable		45		%					28	%						27		%					100	%
	As of December 31, 2012: Gross accounts receivable		100,494							67,529							71,128							239,151
	% of total gross accounts receivable		42		%					28	%						30		%					100	%
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Totals	'
	The reconciliation of segment information to Polycom consolidated totals is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,					September 30,							September 30,
		2013				2012					2013							2012
	Segment contribution margin	$	134,274			$	130,751			$		409,943				$				428,360
	Corporate and unallocated costs		(110,640	)			(106,718	)				(323,645	)							(314,247	)
	Stock-based compensation		(17,202	)			(24,823	)				(53,300	)							(65,071	)
	Effect of stock-based compensation cost on warranty expense		(120	)			(169	)				(421	)							(541	)
	Acquisition-related costs		(39	)			(6,334	)				(3,411	)							(11,793	)
	Amortization of purchased intangibles		(3,735	)			(4,421	)				(11,279	)							(13,044	)
	Restructuring costs		(24,887	)			(6,171	)				(34,639	)							(21,829	)
	Interest and other income (expense), net		(1,634	)			(230	)				(2,777	)							(3,010	)
	Loss from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(23,983	)		$	(18,115	)		$		(19,529	)			$				(1,175	)
Trade Receivables, Net	'
		September 30,				December 31,
		2013				2012
	Gross accounts receivables	$	217,588			$	239,151
	Returns and related reserves		(39,643	)			(41,576	)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(2,722	)			(2,921	)
	Total trade receivables, net	$	175,223			$	194,654
Revenues by Groups of Similar Products and Services	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s revenues by groups of similar products and services as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,					September 30,							September 30,
		2013				2012					2013							2012
	Net Revenues:
	UC group systems	$	221,370			$	225,780			$		686,795				$				717,982
	UC personal devices		56,920				45,731					157,014								134,095
	UC platform		58,171				63,881					176,638								187,525
	Total	$	336,461			$	335,392			$		1,020,447				$				1,039,602

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations and Effective Tax Rates	'
	The following table presents the income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations and the effective tax rates:
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,					September 30,					September 30,
		2013				2012					2013					2012
	Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (in thousands)	$	(5	)		$	(2,709	)		$		(2,963	)		$		105
	Effective tax rate		0.02		%		15.0		%			15.2		%			(8.9	)%

Revisions_to_Condensed_Consoli

Revisions to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Change In Accounting Estimate [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	($5)	($2,709)	($2,963)	$105
Net loss from continuing operations	-23,978	-15,406	-16,566	-1,280
Net income (loss)	-23,978	-14,761	-16,107	6,430
Basic Net Income (loss) Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Net loss per share from continuing operations	'	($0.09)	'	($0.01)
Basic net income (loss) per share	'	($0.08)	'	$0.04
Diluted net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Net loss per share from continuing operations	'	($0.09)	'	($0.01)
Diluted net income (loss) per share	'	($0.08)	'	$0.04
Comprehensive income (loss)	-25,601	-14,896	-16,015	3,366
Prepaid expenses and other assets	'	'	-18,915	4,188
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	'	117,469	121,424
As Previously Reported	'	'	'	'
Change In Accounting Estimate [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	-3,384	'	-1,025
Net loss from continuing operations	'	-14,731	'	-150
Net income (loss)	'	-14,086	'	7,560
Basic Net Income (loss) Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Net loss per share from continuing operations	'	($0.08)	'	$0
Basic net income (loss) per share	'	($0.08)	'	$0.04
Diluted net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Net loss per share from continuing operations	'	($0.08)	'	$0
Diluted net income (loss) per share	'	($0.08)	'	$0.04
Comprehensive income (loss)	'	-14,221	'	4,496
Prepaid expenses and other assets	'	'	'	3,058
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	'	'	121,424
Adjustment	'	'	'	'
Change In Accounting Estimate [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	675	'	1,130
Net loss from continuing operations	'	-675	'	-1,130
Net income (loss)	'	-675	'	-1,130
Basic Net Income (loss) Per Share:	'	'	'	'
Net loss per share from continuing operations	'	$0	'	($0.01)
Basic net income (loss) per share	'	$0	'	($0.01)
Diluted net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Net loss per share from continuing operations	'	$0	'	($0.01)
Diluted net income (loss) per share	'	$0	'	($0.01)
Comprehensive income (loss)	'	-675	'	-1,130
Prepaid expenses and other assets	'	'	'	$1,130

Schedule_of_Discontinued_Opera

Schedule of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	$17,897	$60,441
Income from discontinued operations	4,710	15,137
Provision for income taxes	4,065	7,427
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$645	$7,710

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 04, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Consideration, cash received upon disposition of assets EWS business	'	$556,000
Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes	35,400,000	459,000
Mobile Devices	'	'
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Consideration, cash received upon disposition of assets EWS business	50,700,000	'
Mobile Devices | Maximum	'	'
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Additional cash consideration payable over the next four years subject to certain conditions, including meeting certain agreed-upon EBITDA-based milestones	'	$57,000,000

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Total cash consideration for acquired entity	$7,974,000	$4,583,000
Cash received from net working capital adjustment	$400,000	'

Accounts_Receivable_Financing_

Accounts Receivable Financing - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Amount of total outstanding receivables transferred	$32.60	$6.80	$83.30	$7.20	'
Amount due from the financing company	20.6	'	20.6	'	15.4
Fees incurred pursuant to the factoring agreement	0.5	'	1.2	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Fees incurred pursuant to the factoring agreement	'	0.1	'	0.1	'
Accounts Receivable Sold	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Amount of total outstanding receivables transferred	27.9	5.4	73.1	5.4	'
Amount due from the financing company	$18.30	'	$18.30	'	$12.40

Schedule_of_Goodwill_by_Segmen

Schedule of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	$553,819
Sentri acquisition	5,490
Foreign currency translation	154
Ending Balance	559,463
Americas	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	302,768
Sentri acquisition	5,490
Foreign currency translation	'
Ending Balance	308,258
EMEA	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	101,882
Sentri acquisition	'
Foreign currency translation	'
Ending Balance	101,882
APAC	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	149,169
Sentri acquisition	'
Foreign currency translation	154
Ending Balance	$149,323

Details_of_Purchased_Intangibl

Details of Purchased Intangible Assets by Major Class (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Value	$170,365	$168,065
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization and Impairment	-125,335	-114,000
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Value	45,030	54,065
Acquired Intangible Assets, Gross	171,283	168,983
Acquired Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization & Impairment	-125,335	-114,000
Purchased intangibles, net	45,948	54,983
Indefinite life trade name	'	'
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Value	918	918
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment	'	'
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Value	918	918
Core and developed technology	'	'
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Value	81,178	81,178
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization and Impairment	-71,334	-67,514
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Value	9,844	13,664
Customer and partner relationships	'	'
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Value	79,525	79,025
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization and Impairment	-46,272	-39,578
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Value	33,253	39,447
Non-compete agreement	'	'
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Value	1,800	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization and Impairment	-350	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Value	1,450	'
Trade name	'	'
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Value	3,400	3,400
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization and Impairment	-3,054	-2,746
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Value	346	654
Other	'	'
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Value	4,462	4,462
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization and Impairment	-4,325	-4,162
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Value	$137	$300

Summary_of_Amortization_Expens

Summary of Amortization Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of purchased intangibles in cost of product revenues	$1,248	$1,909	$3,744	$5,726
Amortization of purchased intangibles	2,487	2,512	7,535	7,318
Total amortization expenses of purchased intangibles	$3,735	$4,421	$11,279	$13,044

Estimated_Future_Amortization_

Estimated Future Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Remainder of 2013	$3,724	'
2014	14,510	'
2015	12,226	'
2016	9,880	'
2017	4,690	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Value	$45,030	$54,065

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi2

Goodwill and Purchased Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (Indefinite life trade name, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Indefinite life trade name	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Purchased indefinite lived intangibles	$918	$918

Summary_of_Status_of_Restructu

Summary of Status of Restructuring Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	$8,826
Additions to the reserve	37,608
Non-cash write-off of leasehold improvements	-2,751
Cash payments and other usage	-15,266
Ending balance	28,417
Severance / Other	'
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	1,362
Additions to the reserve	10,207
Non-cash write-off of leasehold improvements	'
Cash payments and other usage	-7,777
Ending balance	3,792
Facilities	'
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	7,464
Additions to the reserve	24,303
Non-cash write-off of leasehold improvements	-2,751
Cash payments and other usage	-5,247
Ending balance	23,769
Projects Discontinued	'
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	'
Additions to the reserve	3,098
Non-cash write-off of leasehold improvements	'
Cash payments and other usage	-2,242
Ending balance	$856

Restructuring_Costs_Additional

Restructuring Costs - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	$24,887	$6,171	$34,639	$21,829
Global workforce elimination percentage under restructuring plan	'	'	4.00%	'

Schedule_of_Inventories_Detail

Schedule of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Raw materials	$2,414	$1,871
Work in process	1,113	799
Finished goods	104,154	97,290
Inventories	$107,681	$99,960

Prepaid_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Other Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Non-trade receivables	$8,379	$10,463
Prepaid expenses	46,066	35,489
Derivative assets	7,131	4,158
Other current assets	5,285	2,429
Prepaid And Other Current Assets, Total	$66,861	$52,539

Schedule_of_Deferred_Revenues_

Schedule of Deferred Revenues (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term deferred revenues	$172,056	$158,482
Long-term deferred revenue	88,112	91,061
Software Service, Support and Maintenance Arrangement	'	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term deferred revenues	170,583	156,487
Long-term deferred revenue	83,387	85,286
Software License Arrangement	'	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term deferred revenues	1,400	1,400
Long-term deferred revenue	4,725	5,775
Product	'	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term deferred revenues	$73	$595

Schedule_of_Other_Accrued_Liab

Schedule of Other Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current And Noncurrent [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	$21,483	'	$19,165	'	'	'
Accrued co-op expenses	4,702	'	4,571	'	'	'
Restructuring reserves	14,836	'	5,347	'	'	'
Warranty obligations	9,711	9,686	10,475	10,478	9,950	10,577
Derivative liabilities	5,612	'	3,273	'	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan withholdings	4,768	'	10,186	'	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	10,480	'	10,001	'	'	'
Total other accrued liabilities	$71,592	'	$63,018	'	'	'

Changes_in_Warranty_Obligation

Changes in Warranty Obligation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$9,686	$9,950	$10,475	$10,577
Accruals for warranties issued during the period	4,295	5,376	12,407	14,839
Actual charges against warranty reserve during the period	-4,270	-4,848	-13,171	-14,938
Ending Balance	$9,711	$10,478	$9,711	$10,478

Changes_in_Deferred_Maintenanc

Changes in Deferred Maintenance Revenue (Detail) (Deferred Services Revenue, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Deferred Services Revenue	'	'	'	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$252,091	$229,615	$241,773	$212,178
Additions to deferred services revenue	87,993	86,157	268,392	258,777
Amortization of deferred services revenue	-86,114	-80,259	-256,195	-235,442
Ending Balance	$253,970	$235,513	$253,970	$235,513

Guarantees_Additional_Informat

Guarantees - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments And Guarantees [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Short-term deferred revenues	$172,056,000	'	$172,056,000	'	$158,482,000
Long-term deferred revenue	88,112,000	'	88,112,000	'	91,061,000
Cost of providing services	37,300,000	35,500,000	110,700,000	102,200,000	'
Software Service, Support and Maintenance Arrangement	'	'	'	'	'
Commitments And Guarantees [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Short-term deferred revenues	170,583,000	'	170,583,000	'	156,487,000
Long-term deferred revenue	$83,387,000	'	$83,387,000	'	$85,286,000
Software Products	'	'	'	'	'
Commitments And Guarantees [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Warranty period of products	'	'	'90 days	'	'
Hardware Products | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Commitments And Guarantees [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Warranty period of products	'	'	'1 year	'	'

Interest_Expenses_Recognized_D

Interest Expenses Recognized (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Contractual interest expense	$305	'	$305	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs	52	'	52	'
Total	$357	'	$357	'

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 13, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term loan	$250,000,000	'
Maturity date of term loan	13-Sep-18	'
Term loan quarterly installments	1,562,500	'
Term loan payable period	'Interest is due and payable in arrears quarterly for loans bearing interest at the base rate and at the end of an interest period (or at each three month interval in the case of loans with interest periods greater than three months) in the case of loans bearing interest at the reserve adjusted LIBOR rate.	'
Debt issuance costs	'	2,600,000
Weighted average interest rate	'	2.02%
Accrued interest on Term loan	'	200,000
Term loan, current	'	6,250,000
Long term debt	'	$243,750,000
Default interest rate applicable for any overdue principal	'	2.00%
Default interest rate for base rate loans for any other overdue amounts	'	2.00%
Base Rate | Minimum	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term loan interest rate, applicable margin	0.50%	'
Base Rate | Maximum	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term loan interest rate, applicable margin	1.00%	'
LIBOR rate plus | Minimum	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term loan interest rate, applicable margin	1.50%	'
LIBOR rate plus | Maximum	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term loan interest rate, applicable margin	2.00%	'

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea2

Investments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Y
Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$712,694,000	$477,073,000
Long-term investments, contractual maturity period, low, years	1	'
Long-term investments, contractual maturity period, high, years	2	'
Cost of investment in private company	2,000,000	2,000,000
U.S. Treasury and other government agencies percentage of fixed income available-for-sale securities	46.00%	'
Corporate bonds percentage of fixed income available-for-sale securities	31.00%	'
Commercial paper percentage of available-for-sale securities	15.00%	'
Non-U.S. Government securities percentage of available-for-sale securities	8.00%	'
Money market funds percentage of available-for-sale securities	0.00%	'
Cash equivalents included in available-for-sale securities	10,900,000	'
Investment Maturity Period Maximum	'3 months	'
United States	'	'
Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents and investments	490,900,000	'
Foreign Tax Authority	'	'
Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Cash equivalents and investments	$462,900,000	'

ShortTerm_and_LongTerm_Investm

Short-Term and Long-Term Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investments	$161,339	$197,196
Long-term investments	79,776	50,333
Short-term Investments	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	161,284	197,154
Unrealized Gains	66	62
Unrealized Losses	-11	-20
Short-term investments	161,339	197,196
Short-term Investments | US Treasury Securities	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	14,531	24,205
Unrealized Gains	7	3
Unrealized Losses	'	'
Short-term investments	14,538	24,208
Short-term Investments | US Government Agencies Debt Securities	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	51,293	101,036
Unrealized Gains	30	39
Unrealized Losses	'	-5
Short-term investments	51,323	101,070
Short-term Investments | Non U S Government Securities	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	13,933	1,527
Unrealized Gains	7	'
Unrealized Losses	'	'
Short-term investments	13,940	1,527
Short-term Investments | Corporate Debt Securities	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	81,527	70,386
Unrealized Gains	22	20
Unrealized Losses	-11	-15
Short-term investments	81,538	70,391
Long Term Investments	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	79,739	50,331
Unrealized Gains	46	21
Unrealized Losses	-9	-19
Long-term investments	79,776	50,333
Long Term Investments | US Treasury Securities	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	17,480	6,396
Unrealized Gains	11	4
Unrealized Losses	'	'
Long-term investments	17,491	6,400
Long Term Investments | US Government Agencies Debt Securities	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	29,057	22,145
Unrealized Gains	16	17
Unrealized Losses	-1	-2
Long-term investments	29,072	22,160
Long Term Investments | Non U S Government Securities	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	7,737	422
Unrealized Gains	10	'
Unrealized Losses	'	'
Long-term investments	7,747	422
Long Term Investments | Corporate Debt Securities	'	'
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost Basis	25,465	21,368
Unrealized Gains	9	'
Unrealized Losses	-8	-17
Long-term investments	$25,466	$21,351

Schedule_of_Investment_in_Unre

Schedule of Investment in Unrealized Loss Position (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	$50,433	$65,511
Gross Unrealized Losses	-18	-39
Fair Value	2,999	1,999
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2	'
Total Fair Value	53,432	67,510
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	-20	-39
US Government Agencies Debt Securities	'	'
Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	11,334	21,768
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-7
Fair Value	'	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'
Total Fair Value	11,334	21,768
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-7
Corporate Debt Securities	'	'
Investments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value	39,099	43,743
Gross Unrealized Losses	-17	-32
Fair Value	2,999	1,999
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2	'
Total Fair Value	42,098	45,742
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	($19)	($32)

Schedule_of_Fair_Value_of_Mark

Schedule of Fair Value of Marketable Securities and Foreign Currency Contracts (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed income available-for-sale securities	$252,040	[1]	$260,792	[1]
Foreign currency forward contracts	7,131	[2]	4,158	[2]
Foreign currency forward contracts	5,612	[3]	3,273	[3]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed income available-for-sale securities	200	[1]	795	[1]
Foreign currency forward contracts	'	[2]	'
Foreign currency forward contracts	'	[3]	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed income available-for-sale securities	251,840	[1]	259,997	[1]
Foreign currency forward contracts	7,131	[2]	4,158	[2]
Foreign currency forward contracts	$5,612	[3]	$3,273	[3]
[1]	Included in cash and cash equivalents, and short and long-term investments on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
[2]	Included in short-term derivative assets as prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
[3]	Included in short-term derivative liabilities as other accrued liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Schedule_of_Notional_Amount_of

Schedule of Notional Amount of Foreign Currency (Detail)

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Brazilian Real

Brazilian Real

Euro

Euro

Euro

Euro

Euro

Euro

British Pound

British Pound

British Pound

British Pound

British Pound

British Pound

Israeli Shekel

Israeli Shekel

Israeli Shekel

Israeli Shekel

Israeli Shekel

Israeli Shekel

Japanese Yen

Japanese Yen

Mexican Peso

Mexican Peso

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Greater Than Three Sixty Days

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Original Maturities Three Sixty Days Or Less

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

Not designated as Hedge Instruments

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

ILS

USD ($)

ILS

USD ($)

ILS

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

MXN

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount of foreign currency, buy position

$1,840

4,103

$22,753

€ 16,807

$19,663

€ 15,150

$36,844

€ 27,850

$7,413

£ 4,690

$16,730

£ 10,552

$34,591

£ 22,348

$13,454

47,442

$17,405

68,436

$24,026

88,764

$3,383

¥ 332,319

$665

8,739

Notional amount of foreign currency, sell position

$3,624

8,372

$44,313

€ 33,127

$50,982

€ 38,385

$74,943

€ 56,315

$4,216

£ 2,610

$23,469

£ 14,803

$31,829

£ 20,697

$29,039

103,486

'

'

'

'

$6,547

¥ 643,072

$1,401

18,566

Effect_of_NonDesignated_Hedges

Effect of Non-Designated Hedges in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) (Not designated as Hedge Instruments, Foreign exchange contract, Other income (expense), USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Not designated as Hedge Instruments | Foreign exchange contract | Other income (expense)	'	'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivative	($182)	$571

Effect_of_Derivative_Instrumen

Effect of Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'		'
Foreign exchange contracts, Gain or (loss) recognized in OCI-effective portion, total	$1,793		$789
Portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing, total	273	[1]	-63	[1]
Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income- effective portion, total	2,356		3,389
Product revenues	'		'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'		'
Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income- effective portion, total	1,190		7,263
Cost of revenues	'		'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'		'
Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income- effective portion, total	138		-721
Selling and marketing	'		'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'		'
Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income- effective portion, total	-73		-1,228
Research and development	'		'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'		'
Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income- effective portion, total	1,075		-842
General and administrative	'		'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'		'
Gain or (loss) reclassified from OCI into income- effective portion, total	$26		($1,083)
[1]	For both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no gains or losses recorded for the ineffective portion.

Derivative_Instruments_Measure

Derivative Instruments Measured at Gross Fair Value as Reflected in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (Foreign exchange contract, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative assets	$7,131		$4,158
Derivative liabilities	5,612		3,273
Designated as Hedge Instruments	'		'
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative assets	3,614	[1]	2,992	[1]
Derivative liabilities	3,032	[2]	1,760	[2]
Not designated as Hedge Instruments	'		'
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative assets	3,517	[1]	1,166	[1]
Derivative liabilities	$2,580	[2]	$1,513	[2]
[1]	All derivative assets are recorded as prepaid and other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
[2]	All derivative liabilities are recorded as other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Offsetting_of_Derivative_Asset

Offsetting of Derivative Assets (Detail) (Foreign exchange contract, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Foreign exchange contract	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$7,131	$4,158
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Position	'	'
Net Amounts Of Assets Presented In the Statements of Financial Position	7,131	4,158
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Position, Financial Instruments	-4,731	-3,227
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Position, Cash Collateral Pledged	'	'
Net Amount	$2,400	$931

Offsetting_of_Derivative_Liabi

Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities (Detail) (Foreign exchange contract, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Foreign exchange contract	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	$5,612	$3,273
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Position	'	'
Net Amounts Of Liabilities Presented In the Statements of Financial Position	5,612	3,273
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Position, Financial Instruments	-4,731	-3,227
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Position, Cash Collateral Pledged	'	'
Net Amount	$881	$46

Foreign_Currency_Derivatives_A

Foreign Currency Derivatives - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	M
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Maximum duration of foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges, months	13
Original Maturities of 360 Days or Less	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Cash flow hedge contracts	0

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 13, 2013	Sep. 13, 2013	Sep. 13, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 13, 2013	Sep. 13, 2013
		Minimum	Maximum	Stock Repurchase Program	Stock Repurchase Program	Stock Repurchase Program	Stock Repurchase Program	Fund program, cash	Fund program Term loan
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock, shares	'	'	'	1.7	2.9	9.8	4.7	'	'
Purchase of common stock, value	'	'	'	$17.70	$30	$102.30	$50	'	'
Shares repurchase authorized amount	400	'	'	'	'	'	'	150	250
Percentage of outstanding common stock repurchase	20.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dutch Auction tender offer, amount	$250	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of shares repurchased	'	$10	$11.50	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares repurchased	23	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tender maturity date	30-Oct-13	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Unrealized Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges, beginning balance	'	'	$1,014		'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-570	-751	1,793		789
Net gains/losses reclassified into earnings	'	'	-2,356	[1]	'
Net unrealized losses on hedging securities	-1,800	-878	-563		-2,600
Unrealized Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges, ending balance	451	'	451		'
Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for- Sale Securities, beginning balance	'	'	2		'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	96	52	10		-8
Net gains/losses reclassified into earnings	-5	-3	66	[1]	-3
Net current-period other comprehensive income	91	49	76		-11
Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for- Sale Securities, ending balance	78	'	78		'
Foreign Currency Translation, beginning balance	'	'	3,180		'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	86	694	579		-453
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'	[1]	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	'	'	579		'
Foreign Currency Translation, ending balance	3,759	'	3,759		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning balances	'	'	4,196		'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	2,382		'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment Net Of Tax	'	'	-2,290	[1]	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	-1,623	-135	92		-3,064
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balances	$4,288	'	$4,288		'
[1]	See Note 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details of gains and losses, net of taxes, reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income related to cash flow hedges and each line item of net income affected by the reclassification. Gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified into “Other income (expense)” in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net of taxes.

Summary_of_StockBased_Compensa

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation costs related to employee equity awards and employee stock purchases	$17,202	$24,823	$53,300	$65,071
Tax benefit	-7,960	-4,637	-24,663	-56,764
Stock-based compensation expense related to employee equity awards and employee stock purchases, net of tax	9,242	20,186	28,637	8,307
Cost of Product Sales	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	686	969	2,252	2,720
Cost of Service Sales	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,479	1,920	4,600	4,952
Stock Based Compensation Expense	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	2,165	2,889	6,852	7,672
Selling and marketing	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	5,889	9,765	19,742	27,069
Research and development	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	3,669	5,409	12,578	14,808
General and administrative	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	5,479	6,760	14,128	15,522
Operating Expenses	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$15,037	$21,934	$46,448	$57,399

StockBased_Employee_Benefit_Pl2

Stock-Based Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 01, 2013

Feb. 01, 2013

Aug. 01, 2012

Feb. 01, 2012

Aug. 01, 2013

Feb. 01, 2013

Aug. 01, 2012

Feb. 01, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 23, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 23, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 23, 2013

Nonqualified Stock Option Plan

Nonqualified Stock Option Plan

Nonqualified Stock Option Plan

Nonqualified Stock Option Plan

Nonqualified Stock Option Plan

Nonqualified Stock Option Plan

Nonqualified Stock Option Plan

Nonqualified Stock Option Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Performance Shares

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Historical Volatility

Implied Volatility

One Year After Grant

Two Years After Grant

Y

Y

Historical Volatility

Implied Volatility

Minimum

Minimum

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Y

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Non Employee Directors

Non Employee Directors

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

M

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares granted

'

'

'

479,571

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,373,329

1,795,893

98,700

'

'

'

4,571,571

4,432,219

100,000

120,000

98,700

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

$100,000

$400,000

$700,000

$600,000

'

'

'

'

$2,400,000

$5,400,000

$10,300,000

$15,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average estimated fair value of share granted

'

$4.45

'

$4.45

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.60

$2.93

$2.69

$6.43

$4.06

$4.57

$3.96

$8.40

$8.83

$17.21

$9.70

'

'

'

$10.12

$15.48

$11.14

$10.77

$11.18

'

'

'

Non-qualified stock options granted, vesting percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Blended volatility

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Offering period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting period (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'3 years

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'3 years

'3 years

Award target performance rate, low

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Award target performance rate, high

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of performance periods

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense awards amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 months

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of employees' compensation deductions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount from market price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum worth of shares per employee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum number of shares per employee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase period, months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation, number of units approved

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,259,136

'

5,259,136

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,904,287

1,867,683

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cumulative incremental expenses incurred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,400,000

$6,100,000

$7,900,000

$20,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Significant_Assumptions_Used_t

Significant Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Employee Stock Options (Detail) (Employee Stock Option)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected volatility	51.24%	51.24%
Risk-free interest rate	0.50%	0.50%
Expected dividends	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life (yrs)	'3 years 8 months 12 days	'3 years 8 months 12 days

Significant_Assumptions_Used_t1

Significant Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Detail) (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Minimum	'	'	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expected volatility	42.40%	55.91%	42.40%	48.27%
Risk-free interest rate	0.08%	0.14%	0.08%	0.09%
Expected dividends	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life (yrs)	'6 months	'6 months	'6 months	'6 months
Maximum	'	'	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expected volatility	48.89%	61.78%	50.55%	61.78%
Risk-free interest rate	0.35%	0.24%	0.35%	0.24%
Expected life (yrs)	'2 years	'2 years	'2 years	'2 years

Reconciliation_of_Numerator_an

Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from denominator in computation of diluted net income per share	3,682	1,446	3,597	1,944
Equity Option	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from denominator in computation of diluted net income per share	4	71	8	302
Restricted Stock	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from denominator in computation of diluted net income per share	2,737	1,103	2,562	1,319
Performance Shares	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from denominator in computation of diluted net income per share	201	115	455	267
Stock Purchase Rights	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from denominator in computation of diluted net income per share	740	157	572	56

Business_Segment_Information_A

Business Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Location	Operating Segments	Operating Segments	Operating Segments	Operating Segments	Operating Segments	Operating Segments
		Customer	Customer	Americas	Americas	Americas	Americas
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business organized number of geographical theatres (area)	3	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue percentage from ScanSource Communications	'	'	'	17.00%	14.00%	17.00%	14.00%
Gross accounts Receivable from ScanSource Communications	'	'	'	13.00%	'	13.00%	'
Single customer accounted for more than 10% of gross accounts receivable	'	1	0	'	'	'	'

Financial_Information_by_Repor

Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$336,461	$335,392	$1,020,447	$1,039,602	'
% of total revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	'
Contribution margin	134,274	130,751	409,943	428,360	'
% of segment revenue	40.00%	39.00%	40.00%	41.00%	'
Gross accounts receivable	217,588	'	217,588	'	239,151
% of total gross accounts receivable	100.00%	'	100.00%	'	100.00%
Operating Segments | Americas	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	177,285	170,965	523,895	513,869	'
% of total revenue	53.00%	51.00%	52.00%	50.00%	'
Contribution margin	69,899	67,438	207,876	212,788	'
% of segment revenue	39.00%	39.00%	40.00%	41.00%	'
Gross accounts receivable	97,314	'	97,314	'	100,494
% of total gross accounts receivable	45.00%	'	45.00%	'	42.00%
Operating Segments | EMEA	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	80,015	78,569	248,834	252,289	'
% of total revenue	24.00%	23.00%	24.00%	24.00%	'
Contribution margin	34,094	28,581	103,703	98,935	'
% of segment revenue	43.00%	36.00%	42.00%	39.00%	'
Gross accounts receivable	61,540	'	61,540	'	67,529
% of total gross accounts receivable	28.00%	'	28.00%	'	28.00%
Operating Segments | APAC	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	79,161	85,858	247,718	273,444	'
% of total revenue	23.00%	26.00%	24.00%	26.00%	'
Contribution margin	30,281	34,732	98,364	116,637	'
% of segment revenue	38.00%	40.00%	40.00%	43.00%	'
Gross accounts receivable	$58,734	'	$58,734	'	$71,128
% of total gross accounts receivable	27.00%	'	27.00%	'	30.00%

Reconciliation_of_Segment_Info

Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Totals (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment contribution margin	$134,274	$130,751	$409,943	$428,360	'
Corporate and unallocated costs	-110,640	-106,718	-323,645	-314,247	'
Stock-based compensation	-17,202	-24,823	-53,300	-65,071	'
Effect of stock-based compensation cost on warranty expense	-120	-169	-421	-541	'
Acquisition-related costs	-39	-6,334	-3,411	-11,793	'
Amortization of purchased intangibles	-3,735	-4,421	-11,279	-13,044	'
Restructuring costs	-24,887	-6,171	-34,639	-21,829	'
Interest and other income (expense), net	-1,634	-230	-2,777	-3,010	'
Loss from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	-23,983	-18,115	-19,529	-1,175	'
Gross accounts receivable	217,588	'	217,588	'	239,151
Returns and related reserves	-39,643	'	-39,643	'	-41,576
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-2,722	'	-2,722	'	-2,921
Total trade receivables, net	$175,223	'	$175,223	'	$194,654

Revenues_by_Groups_of_Similar_

Revenues by Groups of Similar Products and Services (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Revenues	$336,461	$335,392	$1,020,447	$1,039,602
Operating Segments | UC Group Systems	'	'	'	'
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Revenues	221,370	225,780	686,795	717,982
Operating Segments | UC Personal Devices	'	'	'	'
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Revenues	56,920	45,731	157,014	134,095
Operating Segments | UC Platform	'	'	'	'
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net Revenues	$58,171	$63,881	$176,638	$187,525

Income_Tax_Expense_Benefit_fro

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations and Effective Tax Rates (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations	($5)	($2,709)	($2,963)	$105
Effective tax rate	0.02%	15.00%	15.20%	-8.90%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2008
							Realized Tax Savings	Realized Tax Savings	China Subsidiary	China Subsidiary
									Prior Tax Rate	Revised Tax Rate
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate	0.02%	'	'	15.00%	15.20%	-8.90%	'	'	25.00%	15.00%
U.S federal statutory rate	35.00%	'	'	'	35.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Reinstatement of the federal research and development tax credit	'	'	$2.20	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-deductible acquisition related expenses	'	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Windfall tax benefits realized on disqualifying disposition of stock	0.5	'	'	'	1.5	'	'	'	'	'
Discrete benefits from reserve releases for statute expirations	2	'	'	3.2	'	3.6	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	22.6	'	'	'	22.6	'	'	'	'	'
Anticipated reduction in uncertain tax positions	1.5	'	'	'	1.5	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	1.6	'	'	1.6	1.6	1.6	'	'	'	'
Tax benefits realized	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1	$1	'	'
Tax benefits per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0.01	$0.01	'	'

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified			Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share repurchase program, Number of shares repurchased	'	'	27,400,000	'
Shares repurchase program, shares repurchased value	'	'	$285.40	'
Share repurchase program, shares repurchased price per share	'	'	$10.40	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	170,417,372	175,323,885	'	143,000,000