Medidata Solutions 10-Q 7 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Medidata Solutions, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001453814	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	54,033,074

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$35,192	$22,328
Marketable securities	183,000	218,892
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,089 and $1,055, respectively	61,971	45,534
Prepaid commission expense	3,495	3,615
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,440	13,511
Deferred income taxes	669	665
Total current assets	298,767	304,545
Restricted cash	5,118	5,118
Marketable securities- long-term	200,283	195,105
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net	41,237	41,229
Goodwill	15,655	15,487
Intangible assets, net	650	904
Deferred income taxes- long-term	356	345
Other assets	9,161	10,620
Total assets	571,227	573,353
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	5,283	7,524
Accrued payroll and other compensation	10,654	27,773
Accrued expenses and other	9,686	12,265
Deferred revenue	57,909	52,628
Total current liabilities	83,532	100,190
Noncurrent liabilities:	'	'
1.00% convertible senior notes, net	235,228	229,705
Deferred revenue, less current portion	440	1,430
Deferred tax liabilities	2,588	5,651
Other long-term liabilities	15,205	10,564
Total noncurrent liabilities	253,461	247,350
Total liabilities	336,993	347,540
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 5,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized, 55,640 and 55,018 shares issued; 54,078 and 53,634 shares outstanding, respectively	558	550
Additional paid-in capital	273,664	248,336
Treasury stock, 1,562 and 1,384 shares, respectively	-44,513	-26,414
Accumulated other comprehensive income	504	-199
Retained earnings	4,021	3,540
Total stockholders' equity	234,234	225,813
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$571,227	$573,353

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,231	$1,055
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Common stock, shares issued	55,817	55,018
Common stock, shares outstanding	54,002	53,634
Treasury stock, shares	1,815	1,384

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues	'		'		'		'
Subscription	$68,947		$56,346		$132,758		$106,998
Professional services	14,276		11,723		27,105		24,330
Total revenues	83,223		68,069		159,863		131,328
Cost of revenues	'		'		'		'
Subscription	11,221		8,949		22,307		17,974
Professional services	9,753		7,971		19,466		16,075
Total cost of revenues	20,974	[1],[2]	16,920	[1],[2]	41,773	[1],[2]	34,049	[1],[2]
Gross profit	62,249		51,149		118,090		97,279
Operating costs and expenses:	'		'		'		'
Research and development	17,311	[1]	12,105	[1]	35,100	[1]	24,010	[1]
Sales and marketing	20,425	[1],[2]	16,253	[1],[2]	41,157	[1],[2]	30,742	[1],[2]
General and administrative	17,373	[1]	13,955	[1]	34,419	[1]	26,599	[1]
Total operating costs and expenses	55,109		42,313		110,676		81,351
Operating income	7,140		8,836		7,414		15,928
Interest and other (expense) income:	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	-3,827		-27		-7,608		-45
Interest income	420		59		815		135
Other income, net	-28		-10		6		144
Total interest and other (expense) income, net	-3,435		22		-6,787		234
Income before income taxes	3,705		8,858		627		16,162
Provision for income taxes	1,409		3,752		146		5,356
Net income	2,296		5,106		481		10,806
Earnings per share:	'		'		'		'
Basic	$0.04		$0.10	[3]	$0.01		$0.21	[3]
Diluted	$0.04		$0.09	[3]	$0.01		$0.20	[3]
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Basic	52,457		50,850	[3]	52,284		50,546	[3]
Diluted	54,828		53,488	[3]	54,998		53,056	[3]
Total stock-based compensation	8,630	[1]	7,124	[1]	18,329	[1]	12,329	[1]
Total amortization of intangible assets	141	[2]	134	[2]	279	[2]	528	[2]
Cost of revenues	'		'		'		'
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Total stock-based compensation	1,027	[1]	838	[1]	2,099	[1]	1,325	[1]
Total amortization of intangible assets	111	[2]	101	[2]	219	[2]	382	[2]
Research and development	'		'		'		'
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Total stock-based compensation	817	[1]	627	[1]	1,729	[1]	1,085	[1]
Sales and marketing	'		'		'		'
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Total stock-based compensation	1,060	[1]	1,722	[1]	3,411	[1]	2,944	[1]
Total amortization of intangible assets	30	[2]	33	[2]	60	[2]	146	[2]
General and administrative	'		'		'		'
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Total stock-based compensation	$5,726	[1]	$3,937	[1]	$11,090	[1]	$6,975	[1]
[1]	Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues and operating costs and expenses
[2]	Amortization of intangible assets included in cost of revenues and operating costs and expenses
[3]	Prior period results have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split which was effected in the form of a stock dividend in December 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net income	$2,296	$5,106	$481	$10,806
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	403	-29	585	-1,015
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	193	-21	195	-33
Other comprehensive income (loss):	596	-50	780	-1,048
Income tax (expense) benefit related to unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities	-76	8	-77	13
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	520	-42	703	-1,035
Comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$2,816	$5,064	$1,184	$9,771

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'
Net income	$481		$10,806
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:	'		'
Depreciation and amortization	5,144		3,324
Stock-based compensation	18,329	[1]	12,329	[1]
Amortization of discounts or premiums on marketable securities	2,714		1,001
Deferred income taxes	-3,146		3,883
Amortization of debt issuance costs	639		30
Amortization of debt discount	5,523		0
Excess tax benefit associated with equity awards	-2,648		-997
Contingent consideration adjustment	0		120
Provision for doubtful accounts	266		657
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'		'
Accounts receivable	-18,328		3,274
Prepaid commission expense	657		-830
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,018		1,153
Other assets	87		-78
Accounts payable	2,476		-900
Accrued payroll and other compensation	-7,134		-2,338
Accrued expenses and other	5,437		1,183
Deferred revenue	3,588		-4,140
Other long-term liabilities	2,711		591
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	17,814		29,068
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'
Purchases of furniture, fixtures and equipment	-11,602		-6,761
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-113,019		-78,255
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities	141,214		65,272
Decrease in restricted cash	226		388
Net cash provided by investing activities	16,819		-19,356
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,885		6,150
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2,513		0
Excess tax benefit associated with equity awards	2,648		997
Payment of acquisition-related earn-out	-704		-380
Repayment of obligations under capital leases	-39		-27
Repayments of notes payable	85		38
Acquisition of treasury stock	-28,058		-10,461
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-21,840		-3,759
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	71		-76
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,864		5,877
Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period	22,328		32,683
Cash and cash equivalents - End of period	35,192		38,560
Cash paid during the period for:	'		'
Interest	1,350		15
Income taxes	296		984
Noncash activities:	'		'
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment acquired but not yet paid for at period-end	1,549		1,511
Issuance of notes payable in connection with acquisition-related earn-out payments	$97		$341
[1]	Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues and operating costs and expenses

Organization

Organization	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
ORGANIZATION	'
	ORGANIZATION
	Medidata Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) is the leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for clinical research in life sciences, designed to transform clinical development and increase the value of its customers' research investments. The Company’s solutions allow its customers to more efficiently and effectively design, plan and manage key aspects of the clinical trial process, including study and protocol design, trial planning and budgeting, site negotiation, clinical portal, trial management, randomization and trial supply management, clinical data capture and management, safety events capture, medical coding, clinical business analytics, and data flow and interoperability among multiple trial applications.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Except to the extent updated or described below, the Company’s significant accounting policies as of June 30, 2014 are the same as those at December 31, 2013, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 24, 2014.
	Basis of Presentation — The accompanying interim condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules that would ordinarily be required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014.
	The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2014, results of its operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	All share and per share data for all periods presented herein reflect the impact of a two-for-one stock split which was effected in the form of a stock dividend in December 2013.
	Stock-Based Compensation — The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation to account for all of its stock-based compensation plans.
	The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Company uses stock price volatility of its publicly-traded stock as a basis for determining the expected volatility. Management believes this is the best estimate of the expected volatility over the weighted-average expected life of its option grants. As the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data in the period since its stock began being publicly traded to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected life, the Company uses the simplified method as permitted under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14 for estimating the expected life of options as all of its options qualify as "plain-vanilla" options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the option grant with a maturity tied to the expected life of the options. No dividends are expected to be declared by the Company at this time. Compensation expense for stock options is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
	The fair value of each nonvested restricted stock award ("RSA") is measured as if the nonvested RSA was vested and issued on the grant date. Compensation expense for RSAs is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
	The fair value of each performance-based restricted stock unit ("PBRSU") whose vesting is dependent on the achievement of a market price target, or a "market condition," is estimated based upon the results of a Monte Carlo valuation model as of the grant date in accordance with accounting guidelines. Compensation expense related to PBRSUs with a market condition is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Conversely, the fair value of each PBRSU whose vesting is dependent on the satisfaction of a performance target, or a "performance condition," is measured as if the PBRSU was vested and issued on the grant date and adjusted in each reporting period for expected performance relative to the associated goals. Compensation expense related to PBRSUs with a performance condition is recognized when it is probable that the condition will be achieved, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The compensation expense ultimately recognized will equal the grant date fair value for the number of shares for which the performance condition has been satisfied.
	The fair value of each employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") share is estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Company uses stock price volatility of its publicly-traded stock as a basis for determining the expected volatility. Management believes this is the best estimate of the expected volatility over the weighted-average expected life of the ESPP shares. The expected life of each ESPP share is equivalent to the time between the beginning of the offering period and the end of the related purchase period. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the beginning of the offering period with a maturity tied to the expected life of the ESPP share. No dividends are expected to be declared by the Company at this time. Compensation expense for ESPP shares is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the term of the offering period.
	Income Taxes — The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, as prescribed by ASC 740, Income Taxes, which recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
	All of the taxes accrued on the Company's undistributed earnings from its foreign subsidiaries are included in U.S. current income taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 956. As a result, no deferred income tax liability associated with the Company's undistributed earnings was recorded.
	The Company follows ASC 740-10 for the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Under ASC 740-10, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.
	For the provision for income taxes at interim periods, the Company follows ASC 740-270, Income Taxes — Interim Reporting, and has developed an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at the time. The Company’s effective tax rate is based on expected income, statutory rates and permanent differences applicable to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
	Accounts Receivable — Accounts receivable are recorded at original invoice amount less an allowance that management believes will be adequate to absorb estimated losses on existing accounts receivable. The allowance is based on an evaluation of the collectability of accounts receivable and prior bad debt experience. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Unbilled receivables consist of revenue recognized in excess of billings, substantially all of which is expected to be billed and collected within one year. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unbilled accounts receivable of $11.4 million and $9.5 million, respectively, are included in accounts receivable on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
	Segment Information — As defined by ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the Company operates as a single segment, as the chief operating decision maker makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on a single operating unit. The Company recorded revenues in the following geographic areas for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Revenues:
	United States of America	$	61,108	$	48,706	$	116,897	$	93,560
	Japan	7,617		8,071		15,574		15,904
	Switzerland	3,955		3,048		7,969		5,969
	Other	10,543		8,244		19,423		15,895
	Total	$	83,223	$	68,069	$	159,863	$	131,328
	Revenues by geographic area are presented based upon the country in which revenues were generated. No individual country other than the United States, Japan and Switzerland represented 5% or more of net revenues for any of the periods presented.
	The following table summarizes long-term assets by geographic area as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Long-term assets:
	United States of America	$	257,702	$	254,453
	United Kingdom	9,526		10,041
	Japan	5,232		4,314
	Total	$	272,460	$	268,808
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU amends ASC 740, Income Taxes, to require that an unrecognized tax benefit 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; to the extent that a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward does not exist at the reporting date, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not combined with deferred tax assets. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted ASU No. 2013-11 on January 1, 2014, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. This ASU provides principles for recognizing revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers with the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new accounting standard on its consolidated financial statements, which will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'
	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Common Stock — Common stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held. Common stockholders may receive dividends if and when the Board of Directors determines at its sole discretion.
	In December 2013, the Company announced a two-for-one split of its common stock, effected in the form of a stock dividend. The record date for the stock split was December 2, 2013, and the additional shares were distributed on December 16, 2013. Each shareholder of record as of the close of business on the record date received one additional share of common stock for each share held.
	Subsequent to the second quarter of 2014, the Company filed its Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on July 31, 2014, to increase the number of authorized shares of its common stock from 100 million to a total of 200 million, as approved at the Company’s May 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.
	Treasury Stock — From time to time, the Company grants nonvested RSAs and PBRSUs to its employees pursuant to the terms of the 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”). Under the provisions of the 2009 Plan, the plan participants are allowed to cover their income tax withholding obligation through net shares upon the vesting of their RSAs or PBRSUs. On the date of vesting, the Company determines the number of shares to be withheld based on their fair value at the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the vesting date, in order to equal the amount of the plan participant's income tax withholding obligation. Those withheld shares are then held in the Company’s treasury stock at cost for future reissuance. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company withheld 389,969 shares at an average price of $46.41 in connection with the vesting of its RSAs and PBRSUs.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Marketable Securities [Abstract]	'
MARKETABLE SECURITIES	'
	MARKETABLE SECURITIES
	The Company manages its cash equivalents and marketable securities as a single investment portfolio that is intended to be available to meet the Company’s current cash requirements. Cash equivalents consist primarily of investments in money market funds. Marketable securities, which the Company classifies as available-for-sale securities, primarily consist of high quality commercial paper, corporate bonds, and U.S. government debt obligations. Marketable securities with remaining effective maturities of twelve months or less from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term; otherwise, they are classified as long-term on the consolidated balance sheet.
	The following table provides the Company’s marketable securities by security type as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		As of June 30, 2014
		Cost		Gross			Gross			Estimated
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
				Gains			Losses			Value
	Commercial paper and corporate bonds	$	371,160	$	276		$	(154	)	$	371,282
	U.S. government agency debt securities	12,000		1			—			12,001
	Total	$	383,160	$	277		$	(154	)	$	383,283
		As of December 31, 2013
		Cost		Gross			Gross			Estimated
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
				Gains			Losses			Value
	Commercial paper and corporate bonds	$	378,135	$	122		$	(196	)	$	378,061
	U.S. government agency debt securities	35,934		3			(1		)	35,936
	Total	$	414,069	$	125		$	(197	)	$	413,997
	Contractual maturities of the Company’s marketable securities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		As of June 30, 2014					As of December 31, 2013
		Cost		Estimated			Cost			Estimated
				Fair						Fair
				Value						Value
	Due in one year or less	$	182,898	$	183,000		$	218,941		$	218,892
	Due in one to five years	200,262		200,283			195,128			195,105
	Total	$	383,160	$	383,283		$	414,069		$	413,997
	The following table provides the fair market value and the gross unrealized losses of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by security type as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		In Loss Position for Less than 12 Months
		As of June 30, 2014					As of December 31, 2013
		Fair		Gross			Fair			Gross
		Value		Unrealized			Value			Unrealized
				Losses						Losses
	Commercial paper and corporate bonds	$	139,249	$	(154	)	$	241,381		$	(196	)
	U.S. government agency debt securities	—		—			10,910			(1		)
	Total	139,249		(154		)	252,291			(197		)
	None of the Company’s marketable securities has been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve months as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolio to identify and evaluate investments that have indications of possible impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include:
	•	the length of time and extent to which fair value has been lower than the cost basis;
	•	the financial condition, credit quality and near-term prospects of the investee; and
	•	whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery.
	As the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be at maturity, the Company has determined that the gross unrealized losses on such investments at June 30, 2014 are temporary in nature. Accordingly, the Company did not consider its investments in marketable securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of June 30, 2014.
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded an insignificant amount of net realized gain from the sale of marketable securities. No realized gain or loss was recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE	'
	FAIR VALUE
	ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820-10 are described as follows:
	Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
	Level 2 - Other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including:
	•	quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
	•	quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active;
	•	inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;
	•	inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
	If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 inputs must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the fair value measurement for the asset or liability.
	Financial assets (excluding cash balances) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		As of June 30, 2014								As of December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Measurement Using								Fair Value Measurement Using
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	4,570	$	—	$	—	$	4,570	$	751	$	—	$	—	$	751
	Total cash equivalents	4,570		—		—		4,570		751		—		—		751
	Commercial paper and corporate bonds	—		371,282		—		371,282		—		378,061		—		378,061
	U.S. government agency debt securities	—		12,001		—		12,001		—		35,936		—		35,936
	Total marketable securities	—		383,283		—		383,283		—		413,997		—		413,997
	Total financial assets	$	4,570	$	383,283	$	—	$	387,853	$	751	$	413,997	—		$	414,748
	The Company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are generally classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in money market funds have been classified as Level 1 since these securities are valued based upon $1.00 net asset value per share or unadjusted quoted prices in active markets. Investments in commercial paper, corporate bonds, and U.S. government agency debt securities have been classified as Level 2 since these securities are valued based on quoted prices in less active markets or significant inputs which are directly or indirectly observable. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair values of corporate bonds and U.S. government agency debt securities were derived from the inputs of market prices from multiple sources at each reporting period. The fair value was then determined based on a consensus price or a weighted average price for each security. For the remaining financial assets classified as Level 2, substantially all of the securities had a short maturity within one year and high credit ratings. Therefore, the valuation techniques used to measure the fair values were primarily derived from accretion of purchase price to its face value over the term of maturity or quoted market prices for similar instruments if available. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, there were no transfers of financial assets between Level 1 and Level 2.
	The carrying amounts of all other current financial assets and current financial liabilities reflected in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The Company does not have non-financial assets or liabilities that have been measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of June 30, 2014.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	15,487
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	168
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	15,655
	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		As of June 30, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
		Amount					Amount		Amount					Amount
	Acquired technology	$	4,186	$	(3,739	)	$	447	$	4,129	$	(3,481	)	$	648
	Customer relationships	2,089		(1,886		)	203		2,074		(1,818		)	256
	Total	$	6,275	$	(5,625	)	$	650	$	6,203	$	(5,299	)	$	904
	Annual amortization for the next five years is expected to be as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of year ending December 31, 2014	$	284
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	297
	2016	49
	2017	20
	2018	—

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEBT	'
	DEBT
	In August 2013, the Company issued at par value $287.5 million of 1.00% convertible senior notes (the "Notes"). Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on August 1 and February 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2014. The Notes mature on August 1, 2018 unless repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to their maturity date. The Notes are the Company's senior unsecured obligations and are governed by an indenture dated August 12, 2013 between the Company, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
	Upon conversion of the Notes, the Company may choose to pay or deliver, as applicable, either cash, shares of the Company's common stock, or a combination thereof. If converted, holders of the Notes will receive, at the Company's election, cash and/or shares for the principal amount of the Notes as well as any amounts in excess of principal. The Company intends to settle the principal amount of the Notes in cash if converted.
	The initial conversion rate is 17.2286 shares of the Company's common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $58.05 per share of common stock. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon occurrence of certain events, including, but not limited to, the issuance of stock dividends or payment of cash dividends on the Company's common stock (unless the holders of the Notes participate at the same time and under the same terms as the holders of common stock), or execution of a share split or share combination. Upon conversion, holders of the Notes will not receive any separate cash payment representing accrued and unpaid interest, unless conversion occurs after close of business on a regular record date and prior to the related interest payment date.
	Holders may convert their Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 1, 2018 only under the following circumstances:
	•	during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2013 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;
	•	during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the "measurement period") in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock and the conversion rate on such trading day; or
	•	upon the occurrence of certain corporate events described in the indenture governing the Notes.
	On or after February 1, 2018 until close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their Notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. If the Company undergoes a fundamental change as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all of their Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest.
	In accounting for the issuance of the Notes, the Company separated the Notes into liability and equity components. The carrying amount of the liability component was calculated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated convertible feature. The carrying amount of the equity component representing the conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the par value of the Notes as a whole. The excess of the par value over the fair value of the debt represents the debt discount, which is amortized to interest expense over the term of the Notes. The equity component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification.
	In accounting for the $8.1 million in issuance costs related to the Note issuance, the Company allocated the total amount incurred to the liability and equity components based on their relative values. The $6.4 million in issuance costs attributed to the liability component were capitalized and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the Notes. The $1.7 million in issuance costs attributed to the equity component were netted against the equity component in additional paid-in capital.
	As of June 30, 2014, the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Notes were $5.2 million, included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
	The components of the Notes are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Equity component, net of equity issue costs	$	60,222		$	60,222
	Liability component:
	Principal	287,500			287,500
	Less: unamortized debt discount	(52,272		)	(57,795		)
	Net carrying amount	$	235,228		$	229,705
	The Notes are carried at face value less any unamortized discount, but require a disclosure of an estimate of fair value. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the estimated fair value of the Notes was $307.3 million and $365.1 million, respectively, which the Company considers to be a Level 2 measurement because it is based upon a recent quoted bid price for the Notes, reflecting market activity in a less than active market. As of June 30, 2014, the Notes are not convertible. Based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on June 30, 2014 of $42.81, which is less than the Notes' initial conversion price of $58.05, the if-converted value of the Notes was less than their principal amount.
	As of June 30, 2014, the remaining life of the Notes is approximately 49 months.
	The following table sets forth total interest expense recognized related to the Notes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 (in thousands except percentages):
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014			Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Contractual interest expense	$	719		$	1,430
	Amortization of debt issuance costs	320			639
	Amortization of debt discount	2,782			5,523
	Total	$	3,821		$	7,592
	Effective interest rate				6.5		%

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the components of stock-based compensation expense are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
	Stock options	$	1,245		$	1,056			$	2,459		$	2,018
	Restricted stock awards	3,307			5,401				6,476			8,583
	Performance-based restricted stock units	3,700			667				8,450			1,728
	Employee stock purchase plan	378			—				944			—
	Total stock-based compensation	$	8,630		$	7,124			$	18,329		$	12,329
	Stock Options
	The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014			2013
	Expected volatility	44	%	42	%		43	%		42	%
	Expected life	6 years		6 years			6 years			6 years
	Risk-free interest rate	1.86	%	1.03	%		1.8	%		1.03	%
	Dividend yield	—		—			—			—
	The following table summarizes the activity under the stock option plans as of June 30, 2014, and changes during the six months then ended (in thousands, except per share data):
		Number of		Weighted-				Weighted-		Aggregate
		Shares		Average				Average		Intrinsic
				Exercise				Remaining		Value
				Price				Contractual
								Term
								(years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	2,670		$	16
	Granted	105		52.38
	Exercised	(186	)	10.11
	Forfeited	(33	)	27.88
	Expired	—		—
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014	2,556		$	17.77			6.94		$	66,801
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014	1,477		$	10.25			5.88		$	48,076
	Vested and expected to vest at June 30, 2014	2,511		$	17.42			6.91		$	66,340
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $17.10 and $28.06, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $22.64 and $28.06, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1.7 million and $14.0 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $8.5 million and $18.3 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2014, there was a total of $12.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all non-vested stock options granted, as recorded in accordance with ASC 718. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 2.38 years. The total fair value of stock options vested during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $2.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s nonvested RSAs as of June 30, 2014, and changes during the six months then ended (in thousands, except per share data):
		Number of		Weighted-
		Shares		Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2014	1,672		$	18.06
	Granted	318		52.37
	Vested	(674	)	14.33
	Forfeited	(41	)	20.35
	Nonvested at June 30, 2014	1,275		$	28.51
	As of June 30, 2014, there was a total of $32.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested RSAs granted, as recorded in accordance with ASC 718. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 2.44 years. The total fair value of RSAs vested during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $19.8 million and $25.2 million, respectively. The total fair value of RSAs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $28.2 million and $25.5 million, respectively.
	Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company granted PBRSUs to certain employees including executives. Of the number of PBRSUs granted, which assumes performance at 100% of targeted levels, (1) 149 thousand PBRSUs ("2014 Revenue PBRSUs") have performance conditions based on revenue for the year ending December 31, 2014 relative to the Company's revenue guidance and a minimum profitability condition, vesting annually over three years commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, with the number of PBRSUs ultimately earned ranging from zero to 200% of the target; and (2) 74 thousand PBRSUs ("2014 TSR PBRSUs") have market conditions based on the Company's total stockholder return ("TSR") relative to that of the NASDAQ Composite Index for the year ending December 31, 2014, vesting annually over three years commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, with the number of PBRSUs ultimately earned ranging from zero to 200% of the target. The Company also granted an insignificant number of other PBRSUs with performance conditions based on achievement of certain predetermined objectives.
	The fair value of each TSR PBRSU is estimated as of the date of grant based upon evaluation of expected performance relative to the associated market condition using a Monte Carlo valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		2014 TSR PBRSUs		2013 TSR PBRSUs
	Expected volatility - Medidata	52	%	39	%
	Expected volatility - NASDAQ Composite Index	13	%	15	%
	Expected life	0.89 years		1.00 year
	Risk-free interest rate	0.12	%	0.16	%
	Dividend yield	—		—
	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s PBRSUs based upon expected performance as of June 30, 2014, and changes during the six months then ended (in thousands, except per share data):
		Revenue		TSR			Long-Term			Other		Total Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2014	454		227			1,012			9		1,702		$	29.18
	Granted (based on performance at 100% of targeted levels)	149		74			—			5		228		54.01
	Adjustment related to expected performance	—		—			—			(5	)	(5	)	67.01
	Vested	(152	)	(75	)		—			—		(227	)	26.33
	Forfeited	(7	)	(4	)		(57	)		—		(68	)	47.58
	Nonvested at June 30, 2014	444		222			955			9		1,630		$	32.17
	As of June 30, 2014, there was a total of $33.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested PBRSUs, as recorded in accordance with ASC 718. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 1.72 years. There were no PBRSUs vested during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The total fair value of PBRSUs vested during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $13.3 million and none, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company adopted the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "2014 ESPP"), which became effective as of January 1, 2014 based upon the approval obtained from the Company's stockholders at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company's common stock at a discount though payroll deductions, and consists of a 24-month offering period with four six-month purchase periods in each offering period. Employees purchase shares at the lesser of (1) 85% of the fair market value (“FMV”) per share on the first day of the offering period, or (2) 85% of the FMV per share at the end of the relevant purchase period. As such, the ESPP is considered to be a compensatory plan under ASC 718. A total of 0.3 million shares of common stock is reserved for issuance under the ESPP.
The fair value of ESPP shares is estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
	Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
	2014		2013			2014			2013
Expected volatility	49	%	—	%		49	%		—	%
Expected life	1.22 years		0.00 years			1.22 years			0.00 years
Risk-free interest rate	0.21	%	—	%		0.21	%		—	%
Dividend yield	—		—			—			—
For the ESPP purchase period ended June 30, 2014 ("First Purchase Period"), 68.0 thousand shares of common stock were purchased at a weighted-average price of $36.39, resulting in cash proceeds of $2.5 million.
Based upon provisions set forth in the 2014 ESPP, the look-back purchase price for the offering period beginning January 1, 2014 ("First Offering Period") was reset since the FMV per share at the end of the First Purchase Period was lower than the stock price at the first day of the First Offering Period. As a result, the First Offering Period was canceled following the completion of the First Purchase Period and all participants in the First Offering Period have been automatically enrolled into a new 24-month offering period beginning July 1, 2014. Under ASC 718, the reset provision is accounted for as a Plan modification. The fair value of ESPP shares will be revalued based on assumptions on July 1, 2014 with unrecognized compensation cost adjusted accordingly.
As of June 30, 2014, there was $3.3 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to ESPP shares under the First Offering Period based upon pre-modified assumptions, as recorded in accordance with ASC 718. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 1.50 years.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the six months ended June 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities			Total
	Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(127	)	$	(72	)	$	(199	)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	585			118			703
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	458		$	46		$	504
	For the six months ended June 30, 2014, reclassifications of items from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income were insignificant.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The Company follows ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, in calculating earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. The holders of unvested RSAs do not have nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents and therefore, such unvested awards do not qualify as participating securities and are excluded from the basic earnings per share calculation. Diluted earnings per share includes the determinants of basic net income per share and, in addition, gives effect to the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock are exercised, vested or converted into common stock unless they are antidilutive. The effect of the Notes, if any, is reflected in diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method as the Company intends to settle the principal amount of the Notes in cash upon conversion.
	All share and per share data for all periods presented reflect the impact of a two-for-one stock split which was effected in the form of a stock dividend in December 2013. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the following table (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Numerator
	Net income	$	2,296		$	5,106		$	481	$	10,806
	Denominator
	Denominator for basic earnings per share:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	52,457			50,850			52,284		50,546
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
	Dilutive potential common shares:
	Stock options	1,141			1,466			1,274		1,482
	Restricted stock awards	567			956			721		904
	Performance-based restricted stock units	663			216			717		124
	Employee stock purchase plan	—			—			2		—
	Weighted average common shares outstanding with assumed conversion	54,828			53,488			54,998		53,056
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.04		$	0.1		$	0.01	$	0.21
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.04		$	0.09		$	0.01	$	0.2
	Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of dilutive earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the following table (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Stock options	417		112			289		64
	Restricted stock awards	285		—			46		—
	Performance-based restricted stock units	156		—			116		74
	Employee stock purchase plan	266		—			—		—
	Total	1,124		112			451		138
	The effect of the Notes (see Note 9, "Debt") issued in August 2013, if any, will be reflected in diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method as the Company intends to settle the principal amount of the Notes in cash upon conversion. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the average price of the Company's stock was below the conversion price of the Notes; as a result the Notes were not dilutive for this period.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was 38% and 23%, respectively, and differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state and local income taxes, investment in U.S. property under Internal Revenue Code Section 956 and stock-based compensation, partially offset by the benefit associated with domestic production activities deduction.
	The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was 42% and 33%, respectively, and differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state and local income taxes, stock-based compensation, research and development tax credits, and limitations on officers' compensation. The Company recognized as a favorable discrete item a research and development tax credit of $1.2 million, resulting from the retroactive reinstatement of the research and development tax credit for 2012 during the first quarter of 2013.
	The Company had approximately $4.1 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, there was no change relating to the Company’s tax positions. The Company’s 2012 federal income tax return is currently under examination by the IRS and it has yet to notify the Company if there are any issues related to this examination.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Matters — The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. From time to time, third parties have asserted and may in the future assert intellectual property rights to technologies that are important to the Company’s business and have demanded and may in the future demand that the Company license their technology. The Company records an estimated liability for these matters when an adverse outcome is considered to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. Although the outcome of the litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and some lawsuits, claims, or proceedings may be disposed of unfavorably to the Company, which could materially and adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations, the Company does not believe that it is currently a party to any material legal proceedings.
	On March 4, 2011, DataTrak International, Inc. ("DataTrak") filed a complaint for alleged patent infringement against the Company in DataTrak International v. Medidata Solutions, C.A. No. 1:11-cv-00458 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The complaint asserts infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,464,087 (the “’087 Patent”), which claims a method and system for unifying data from a variety of sources. The complaint asserts that the Company infringes upon the patent owned without providing any details concerning the alleged infringement, and it seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief. On October 28, 2011, the Company filed an application for ex parte reexamination of the ’087 Patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”). On December 16, 2011, the PTO issued a non-final rejection of the validity of all claims of the ’087 Patent. On the same date, the district court granted the Company’s motion to stay the case pending reexamination of the patent-in-suit. On April 6, 2012, the PTO issued its final office action rejecting all asserted claims of the ’087 Patent. In July 2012, DataTrak filed a notice of appeal to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (the "BPAI"). The BPAI rendered a decision on March 4, 2014, affirming the rejection of some claims of the '087 Patent and reversing the rejection of other claims. The PTO issued a notice of intent to issue ex parte reexamination certificate on August 1, 2014, which confirms patentability of the remaining claims and closes the reexamination proceeding.
	The Company believes that it has valid defenses to the lawsuit and intends to defend itself vigorously in the event the stay of the case is lifted. The probability of a favorable or unfavorable outcome to the Company should the lawsuit resume is not known nor can the liability that could potentially result from a negative outcome be reasonably estimated. As a result, the Company has not recorded an accrual associated with this litigation. Additionally, given the early stage of the proceedings, the complexities of the facts in dispute and the multiple claims involved, the Company is unable to estimate a range of loss related to this litigation.
	Contractual Warranties — The Company typically provides contractual warranties to its customers covering its solutions and services. To date, any refunds provided to customers have been immaterial.
	Change in Control Agreements — The Company has change in control agreements with its chief executive officer and certain other executive officers. These agreements provide for payments to be made to such officers upon involuntary termination of their employment by the Company without cause or by such officers for good reason as defined in the agreements, within a period of 2 years following a change in control. The agreements provide that, upon a qualifying termination event, such officers will be entitled to (a) a severance payment equal to the officer’s base salary plus target bonus amount; (b) continuation of health benefits for 12 months; and (c) immediate vesting of remaining unvested equity awards with service-based vesting conditions, unless otherwise specified in the equity award agreements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation — The accompanying interim condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules that would ordinarily be required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014.
	The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2014, results of its operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	All share and per share data for all periods presented herein reflect the impact of a two-for-one stock split which was effected in the form of a stock dividend in December 2013.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation — The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation to account for all of its stock-based compensation plans.
	The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Company uses stock price volatility of its publicly-traded stock as a basis for determining the expected volatility. Management believes this is the best estimate of the expected volatility over the weighted-average expected life of its option grants. As the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data in the period since its stock began being publicly traded to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected life, the Company uses the simplified method as permitted under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 14 for estimating the expected life of options as all of its options qualify as "plain-vanilla" options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the option grant with a maturity tied to the expected life of the options. No dividends are expected to be declared by the Company at this time. Compensation expense for stock options is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
	The fair value of each nonvested restricted stock award ("RSA") is measured as if the nonvested RSA was vested and issued on the grant date. Compensation expense for RSAs is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
	The fair value of each performance-based restricted stock unit ("PBRSU") whose vesting is dependent on the achievement of a market price target, or a "market condition," is estimated based upon the results of a Monte Carlo valuation model as of the grant date in accordance with accounting guidelines. Compensation expense related to PBRSUs with a market condition is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Conversely, the fair value of each PBRSU whose vesting is dependent on the satisfaction of a performance target, or a "performance condition," is measured as if the PBRSU was vested and issued on the grant date and adjusted in each reporting period for expected performance relative to the associated goals. Compensation expense related to PBRSUs with a performance condition is recognized when it is probable that the condition will be achieved, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The compensation expense ultimately recognized will equal the grant date fair value for the number of shares for which the performance condition has been satisfied.
	The fair value of each employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") share is estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Company uses stock price volatility of its publicly-traded stock as a basis for determining the expected volatility. Management believes this is the best estimate of the expected volatility over the weighted-average expected life of the ESPP shares. The expected life of each ESPP share is equivalent to the time between the beginning of the offering period and the end of the related purchase period. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the beginning of the offering period with a maturity tied to the expected life of the ESPP share. No dividends are expected to be declared by the Company at this time. Compensation expense for ESPP shares is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the term of the offering period.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes — The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, as prescribed by ASC 740, Income Taxes, which recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
	All of the taxes accrued on the Company's undistributed earnings from its foreign subsidiaries are included in U.S. current income taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 956. As a result, no deferred income tax liability associated with the Company's undistributed earnings was recorded.
	The Company follows ASC 740-10 for the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Under ASC 740-10, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.
	For the provision for income taxes at interim periods, the Company follows ASC 740-270, Income Taxes — Interim Reporting, and has developed an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at the time. The Company’s effective tax rate is based on expected income, statutory rates and permanent differences applicable to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable — Accounts receivable are recorded at original invoice amount less an allowance that management believes will be adequate to absorb estimated losses on existing accounts receivable. The allowance is based on an evaluation of the collectability of accounts receivable and prior bad debt experience. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Unbilled receivables consist of revenue recognized in excess of billings, substantially all of which is expected to be billed and collected within one year. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unbilled accounts receivable of $11.4 million and $9.5 million, respectively, are included in accounts receivable on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information — As defined by ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the Company operates as a single segment, as the chief operating decision maker makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on a single operating unit. The Company recorded revenues in the following geographic areas for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Revenues:
	United States of America	$	61,108	$	48,706	$	116,897	$	93,560
	Japan	7,617		8,071		15,574		15,904
	Switzerland	3,955		3,048		7,969		5,969
	Other	10,543		8,244		19,423		15,895
	Total	$	83,223	$	68,069	$	159,863	$	131,328
	Revenues by geographic area are presented based upon the country in which revenues were generated. No individual country other than the United States, Japan and Switzerland represented 5% or more of net revenues for any of the periods presented.
	The following table summarizes long-term assets by geographic area as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Long-term assets:
	United States of America	$	257,702	$	254,453
	United Kingdom	9,526		10,041
	Japan	5,232		4,314
	Total	$	272,460	$	268,808
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU amends ASC 740, Income Taxes, to require that an unrecognized tax benefit 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; to the extent that a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward does not exist at the reporting date, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not combined with deferred tax assets. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company adopted ASU No. 2013-11 on January 1, 2014, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. This ASU provides principles for recognizing revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers with the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new accounting standard on its consolidated financial statements, which will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017.
Earnings Per Share	'
	The Company follows ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, in calculating earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. The holders of unvested RSAs do not have nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents and therefore, such unvested awards do not qualify as participating securities and are excluded from the basic earnings per share calculation. Diluted earnings per share includes the determinants of basic net income per share and, in addition, gives effect to the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock are exercised, vested or converted into common stock unless they are antidilutive. The effect of the Notes, if any, is reflected in diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method as the Company intends to settle the principal amount of the Notes in cash upon conversion.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Geographic segment and long-term assets geographic segment	'
	The following table summarizes long-term assets by geographic area as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Long-term assets:
	United States of America	$	257,702	$	254,453
	United Kingdom	9,526		10,041
	Japan	5,232		4,314
	Total	$	272,460	$	268,808
	The Company recorded revenues in the following geographic areas for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Revenues:
	United States of America	$	61,108	$	48,706	$	116,897	$	93,560
	Japan	7,617		8,071		15,574		15,904
	Switzerland	3,955		3,048		7,969		5,969
	Other	10,543		8,244		19,423		15,895
	Total	$	83,223	$	68,069	$	159,863	$	131,328

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Marketable Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable securities by security type	'
	The following table provides the Company’s marketable securities by security type as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		As of June 30, 2014
		Cost		Gross			Gross			Estimated
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
				Gains			Losses			Value
	Commercial paper and corporate bonds	$	371,160	$	276		$	(154	)	$	371,282
	U.S. government agency debt securities	12,000		1			—			12,001
	Total	$	383,160	$	277		$	(154	)	$	383,283
		As of December 31, 2013
		Cost		Gross			Gross			Estimated
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
				Gains			Losses			Value
	Commercial paper and corporate bonds	$	378,135	$	122		$	(196	)	$	378,061
	U.S. government agency debt securities	35,934		3			(1		)	35,936
	Total	$	414,069	$	125		$	(197	)	$	413,997
Contractual maturities of marketable securities	'
	Contractual maturities of the Company’s marketable securities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		As of June 30, 2014					As of December 31, 2013
		Cost		Estimated			Cost			Estimated
				Fair						Fair
				Value						Value
	Due in one year or less	$	182,898	$	183,000		$	218,941		$	218,892
	Due in one to five years	200,262		200,283			195,128			195,105
	Total	$	383,160	$	383,283		$	414,069		$	413,997
Fair market value and gross unrealized losses of marketable securities	'
	The following table provides the fair market value and the gross unrealized losses of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by security type as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		In Loss Position for Less than 12 Months
		As of June 30, 2014					As of December 31, 2013
		Fair		Gross			Fair			Gross
		Value		Unrealized			Value			Unrealized
				Losses						Losses
	Commercial paper and corporate bonds	$	139,249	$	(154	)	$	241,381		$	(196	)
	U.S. government agency debt securities	—		—			10,910			(1		)
	Total	139,249		(154		)	252,291			(197		)

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	Financial assets (excluding cash balances) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		As of June 30, 2014								As of December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Measurement Using								Fair Value Measurement Using
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	4,570	$	—	$	—	$	4,570	$	751	$	—	$	—	$	751
	Total cash equivalents	4,570		—		—		4,570		751		—		—		751
	Commercial paper and corporate bonds	—		371,282		—		371,282		—		378,061		—		378,061
	U.S. government agency debt securities	—		12,001		—		12,001		—		35,936		—		35,936
	Total marketable securities	—		383,283		—		383,283		—		413,997		—		413,997
	Total financial assets	$	4,570	$	383,283	$	—	$	387,853	$	751	$	413,997	—		$	414,748

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill	'
	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	15,487
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	168
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	15,655
Intangible assets	'
	Intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		As of June 30, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
		Amount					Amount		Amount					Amount
	Acquired technology	$	4,186	$	(3,739	)	$	447	$	4,129	$	(3,481	)	$	648
	Customer relationships	2,089		(1,886		)	203		2,074		(1,818		)	256
	Total	$	6,275	$	(5,625	)	$	650	$	6,203	$	(5,299	)	$	904
Annual amortization for the next five years	'
	Annual amortization for the next five years is expected to be as follows (in thousands):
	Remainder of year ending December 31, 2014	$	284
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	297
	2016	49
	2017	20
	2018	—

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of convertible senior notes	'
	The components of the Notes are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		June 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Equity component, net of equity issue costs	$	60,222		$	60,222
	Liability component:
	Principal	287,500			287,500
	Less: unamortized debt discount	(52,272		)	(57,795		)
	Net carrying amount	$	235,228		$	229,705
Interest expense related to convertible senior notes	'
	The following table sets forth total interest expense recognized related to the Notes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 (in thousands except percentages):
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014			Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Contractual interest expense	$	719		$	1,430
	Amortization of debt issuance costs	320			639
	Amortization of debt discount	2,782			5,523
	Total	$	3,821		$	7,592
	Effective interest rate				6.5		%

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Components of stock-based compensation expense	'
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the components of stock-based compensation expense are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
	Stock options	$	1,245		$	1,056			$	2,459		$	2,018
	Restricted stock awards	3,307			5,401				6,476			8,583
	Performance-based restricted stock units	3,700			667				8,450			1,728
	Employee stock purchase plan	378			—				944			—
	Total stock-based compensation	$	8,630		$	7,124			$	18,329		$	12,329
Fair value of stock option grants	'
	The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014			2013
	Expected volatility	44	%	42	%		43	%		42	%
	Expected life	6 years		6 years			6 years			6 years
	Risk-free interest rate	1.86	%	1.03	%		1.8	%		1.03	%
	Dividend yield	—		—			—			—
Summary of activities and changes in stock option plans	'
	The following table summarizes the activity under the stock option plans as of June 30, 2014, and changes during the six months then ended (in thousands, except per share data):
		Number of		Weighted-				Weighted-		Aggregate
		Shares		Average				Average		Intrinsic
				Exercise				Remaining		Value
				Price				Contractual
								Term
								(years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	2,670		$	16
	Granted	105		52.38
	Exercised	(186	)	10.11
	Forfeited	(33	)	27.88
	Expired	—		—
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014	2,556		$	17.77			6.94		$	66,801
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014	1,477		$	10.25			5.88		$	48,076
	Vested and expected to vest at June 30, 2014	2,511		$	17.42			6.91		$	66,340
Summary of nonvested restricted stock awards	'
	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s nonvested RSAs as of June 30, 2014, and changes during the six months then ended (in thousands, except per share data):
		Number of		Weighted-
		Shares		Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2014	1,672		$	18.06
	Granted	318		52.37
	Vested	(674	)	14.33
	Forfeited	(41	)	20.35
	Nonvested at June 30, 2014	1,275		$	28.51
Fair value of TSR PBRSUs	'
		2014 TSR PBRSUs		2013 TSR PBRSUs
	Expected volatility - Medidata	52	%	39	%
	Expected volatility - NASDAQ Composite Index	13	%	15	%
	Expected life	0.89 years		1.00 year
	Risk-free interest rate	0.12	%	0.16	%
	Dividend yield	—		—
Summary of performance-based restricted stock units based on expected performance	'
	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s PBRSUs based upon expected performance as of June 30, 2014, and changes during the six months then ended (in thousands, except per share data):
		Revenue		TSR			Long-Term			Other		Total Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Nonvested at January 1, 2014	454		227			1,012			9		1,702		$	29.18
	Granted (based on performance at 100% of targeted levels)	149		74			—			5		228		54.01
	Adjustment related to expected performance	—		—			—			(5	)	(5	)	67.01
	Vested	(152	)	(75	)		—			—		(227	)	26.33
	Forfeited	(7	)	(4	)		(57	)		—		(68	)	47.58
	Nonvested at June 30, 2014	444		222			955			9		1,630		$	32.17
Fair value of employee stock purchase plan shares	'
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014			2013
	Expected volatility	49	%	—	%		49	%		—	%
	Expected life	1.22 years		0.00 years			1.22 years			0.00 years
	Risk-free interest rate	0.21	%	—	%		0.21	%		—	%
	Dividend yield	—		—			—			—

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the six months ended June 30, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities			Total
	Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(127	)	$	(72	)	$	(199	)
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax	585			118			703
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	458		$	46		$	504

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings per share	'
	All share and per share data for all periods presented reflect the impact of a two-for-one stock split which was effected in the form of a stock dividend in December 2013. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the following table (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Numerator
	Net income	$	2,296		$	5,106		$	481	$	10,806
	Denominator
	Denominator for basic earnings per share:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	52,457			50,850			52,284		50,546
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
	Dilutive potential common shares:
	Stock options	1,141			1,466			1,274		1,482
	Restricted stock awards	567			956			721		904
	Performance-based restricted stock units	663			216			717		124
	Employee stock purchase plan	—			—			2		—
	Weighted average common shares outstanding with assumed conversion	54,828			53,488			54,998		53,056
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.04		$	0.1		$	0.01	$	0.21
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.04		$	0.09		$	0.01	$	0.2
Schedule of antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	'
	Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of dilutive earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the following table (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Stock options	417		112			289		64
	Restricted stock awards	285		—			46		—
	Performance-based restricted stock units	156		—			116		74
	Employee stock purchase plan	266		—			—		—
	Total	1,124		112			451		138

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues and long-term assets by geographic segment	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$83,223	$68,069	$159,863	$131,328	'
Long-term assets	272,460	'	272,460	'	268,808
Specified percentage of net revenue required for separate reporting of countries' revenue	'	'	5.00%	'	'
United States of America [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues and long-term assets by geographic segment	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	61,108	48,706	116,897	93,560	'
Long-term assets	257,702	'	257,702	'	254,453
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues and long-term assets by geographic segment	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term assets	9,526	'	9,526	'	10,041
Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues and long-term assets by geographic segment	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	7,617	8,071	15,574	15,904	'
Long-term assets	5,232	'	5,232	'	4,314
Switzerland [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues and long-term assets by geographic segment	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	3,955	3,048	7,969	5,969	'
Other countries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues and long-term assets by geographic segment	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$10,543	$8,244	$19,423	$15,895	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'
Unbilled receivables	$11.40	$9.50

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014
			Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Description of stock split	'effected in the form of a stock dividend. The record date for the stock split was December 2, 2013, and the additional shares were distributed on December 16, 2013. Each shareholder of record as of the close of business on the record date received one additional share of common stock for each share held.	'	'
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000	200,000,000
Shares paid for tax withholding for share based compensation	389,969	'	'
Shares paid for tax withholding for share based compensation, average price	$46.41	'	'
Stock split ratio	2	'	'

Marketable_Securities_Details

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Marketable securities by security type	'	'
Cost	$383,160	$414,069
Gross unrealized gains	277	125
Gross unrealized losses	-154	-197
Estimated fair value	383,283	413,997
Commercial paper and corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Marketable securities by security type	'	'
Cost	371,160	378,135
Gross unrealized gains	276	122
Gross unrealized losses	-154	-196
Estimated fair value	371,282	378,061
U.S. government agency debt securities [Member]	'	'
Marketable securities by security type	'	'
Cost	12,000	35,934
Gross unrealized gains	1	3
Gross unrealized losses	0	-1
Estimated fair value	$12,001	$35,936

Marketable_Securities_Details_

Marketable Securities (Details 1) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Marketable securities by contractual maturity	'	'
Cost	$383,160	$414,069
Estimated fair value	383,283	413,997
One year or less [Member]	'	'
Marketable securities by contractual maturity	'	'
Cost	182,898	218,941
Estimated fair value	183,000	218,892
One to five years [Member]	'	'
Marketable securities by contractual maturity	'	'
Cost	200,262	195,128
Estimated fair value	$200,283	$195,105

Marketable_Securities_Details_1

Marketable Securities (Details 2) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair market value and gross unrealized losses of marketable securities	'	'
Fair value	$139,249	$252,291
Gross unrealized losses	-154	-197
Commercial paper and corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair market value and gross unrealized losses of marketable securities	'	'
Fair value	139,249	241,381
Gross unrealized losses	-154	-196
U.S. government agency debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair market value and gross unrealized losses of marketable securities	'	'
Fair value	0	10,910
Gross unrealized losses	$0	($1)

Marketable_Securities_Details_2

Marketable Securities (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Marketable Securities (Textual)	'	'	'	'	'
Marketable securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months	$0	'	$0	'	$0
Net realized gains (losses) from the sale of marketable securities	$2	$0	$3	$0	'

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (Fair value, recurring [Member], USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash equivalents	$4,570	$751
Total marketable securities	383,283	413,997
Total financial assets	387,853	414,748
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash equivalents	4,570	751
Total marketable securities	0	0
Total financial assets	4,570	751
Level 1 [Member] | Money market funds [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash equivalents	4,570	751
Level 1 [Member] | Commercial paper and corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total marketable securities	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. government agency debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total marketable securities	0	0
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Total marketable securities	383,283	413,997
Total financial assets	383,283	413,997
Level 2 [Member] | Money market funds [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Commercial paper and corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total marketable securities	371,282	378,061
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. government agency debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total marketable securities	12,001	35,936
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Total marketable securities	0	0
Total financial assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Money market funds [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash equivalents	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Commercial paper and corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total marketable securities	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | U.S. government agency debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total marketable securities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Details_Textual

Fair Value (Details Textual) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Fair value (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Net asset value per share used to value money market and U.S. Treasury debt securities	$1	'
Transfers of financial assets between Level 1 and Level 2	$0	$0

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill	'
Balance as of January 1, 2014	$15,487
Foreign currency translation adjustments	168
Balance as of March 31, 2014	$15,655

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible assets	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$6,275	$6,203
Accumulated amortization	-5,625	-5,299
Net carrying amount	650	904
Acquired technology [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Gross carrying amount	4,186	4,129
Accumulated amortization	-3,739	-3,481
Net carrying amount	447	648
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Intangible assets	'	'
Gross carrying amount	2,089	2,074
Accumulated amortization	-1,886	-1,818
Net carrying amount	$203	$256

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Annual amortization for the next five years	'
Remainder of year ending December 31, 2014	$284
Year ending December 31, 2015	297
Year ending December 31, 2016	49
Year ending December 31, 2017	20
Year ending December 31, 2018	$0

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 12, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of convertible senior notes	'	'	'
Equity component net of equity issue costs	$60,222	$60,222	'
Principal amount	287,500	287,500	287,500
Unamortized discount	-52,272	-57,795	'
Convertible senior notes, net carrying amount	$235,228	$229,705	'

Debt_Details_1

Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Interest expense on convertible senior notes	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes, contractual interest expense	$719	$1,430	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs	320	639	'
Amortization of debt discount	2,782	5,523	0
Convertible senior notes, total interest expense	$3,821	$7,592	'
Convertible senior notes, effective interest rate during period	'	6.50%	'

Debt_Details_Textual

Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 12, 2013
Convertible senior notes	'		'	'
Principal amount	$287,500,000		$287,500,000	$287,500,000
Stated interest rate	'		'	1.00%
Interest payment terms	'Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on August 1 and February 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2014.		'	'
Maturity	'The Notes mature on August 1, 2018 unless repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to their maturity date.		'	'
Settlement terms	'Upon conversion of the Notes, the Company may choose to pay or deliver, as applicable, either cash, shares of the Company's common stock, or a combination thereof. If converted, holders of the Notes will receive, at the Company's election, cash and/or shares for the principal amount of the Notes as well as any amounts in excess of principal. The Company intends to settle the principal amount of the Notes in cash if converted.		'	'
Conversion ratio	17.2286	[1]	'	'
Face amount	'		'	1,000
Conversion price	'		'	$58.05	[1]
Terms of conversion feature	'The initial conversion rate is 17.2286 shares of the Company's common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $58.05 per share of common stock. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon occurrence of certain events, including, but not limited to, the issuance of stock dividends or payment of cash dividends on the Company's common stock (unless the holders of the Notes participate at the same time and under the same terms as the holders of common stock), or execution of a share split or share combination. Upon conversion, holders of the Notes will not receive any separate cash payment representing accrued and unpaid interest, unless conversion occurs after close of business on a regular record date and prior to the related interest payment date. Holders may convert their Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 1, 2018 only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2013 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the "measurement period") in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock and the conversion rate on such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of certain corporate events described in the indenture governing the Notes. On or after February 1, 2018 until close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their Notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. If the Company undergoes a fundamental change as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all of their Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest.		'	'
Issuance costs	8,100,000		'	'
Issuance costs related to debt component	6,400,000		'	'
Issuance costs related to equity component	1,700,000		'	'
Unamortized debt issuance costs	5,200,000		'	'
Closing price of the Company's common stock	$42.81		'	'
Approximate remaining life	'49 months		'	'
Convertible Debt [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'	'
Convertible senior notes	'		'	'
Approximate fair value	$307,300,000		$365,100,000	'
[1]	Prior period results have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split which was effected in the form of a stock dividend in December 2013.

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Components of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$8,630	$7,124	$18,329	$12,329
Stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	1,245	1,056	2,459	2,018
Restricted stock awards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	3,307	5,401	6,476	8,583
Performance-based restricted stock units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	3,700	667	8,450	1,728
Employee stock purchase plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$378	$0	$944	$0

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 1) (Stock options [Member])	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average Black-Scholes assumptions used to estimate fair value of stock options granted	'	'	'	'
Expected volatility	44.00%	42.00%	43.00%	42.00%
Expected life	'6 years	'6 years	'6 years	'6 years
Risk-free interest rate	1.86%	1.03%	1.80%	1.03%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Detail2

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) (Stock options [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Stock options [Member]	'
Summary of activities and changes in stock option plans	'
Number of shares outstanding at beginning of period	2,670
Weighted-average exercise price outstanding at beginning of period	$16
Number of shares granted	105
Weighted-average exercise price granted	$52.38
Number of shares exercised	-186
Weighted-average exercise price exercised	$10.11
Number of shares forfeited	-33
Weighted-average exercise price forfeited	$27.88
Number of shares expired	0
Weighted-average exercise price expired	$0
Number of shares outstanding at end of period	2,556
Weighted-average exercise price outstanding at end of period	$17.77
Weighted average remaining contractual term outstanding at end of period	'6 years 11 months 9 days
Aggregate intrinsic value outstanding at end of period	$66,801
Number of shares exercisable at end of period	1,477
Weighted-average exercise price exercisable at end of period	$10.25
Weighted average remaining contractual term exercisable at end of period	'5 years 10 months 17 days
Aggregate intrinsic value exercisable at end of period	48,076
Number of shares vested and expected to vest at end of period	2,511
Weighted-average exercise price vested and expected to vest at end of period	$17.42
Weighted average remaining contractual term vested and expected to vest at end of period	'6 years 10 months 28 days
Aggregate intrinsic value vested and expected to vest at end of period	$66,340

StockBased_Compensation_Detail3

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) (Restricted stock awards [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Restricted stock awards [Member]	'
Summary of nonvested restricted stock awards	'
Nonvested number of shares/units at beggining of period	1,672
Nonvested weighted-average grant-date fair value at beginning of period	$18.06
Granted number of shares	318
Granted weighted-average grant-date fair value	$52.37
Vested number of shares/units	-674
Vested weighted-average grant-date fair value	$14.33
Forfeited number of shares/units	-41
Forfeited weighted-average grant-date fair value	$20.35
Nonvested number of shares/units at end of period	1,275
Nonvested weighted-average grant-date fair value at end of period	$28.51

StockBased_Compensation_Detail4

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 4) (Performance-based restricted stock units [Member], TSR [Member])	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Performance-based restricted stock units [Member] | TSR [Member]	'	'
Assumptions used to estimate fair value of TSR PBRSUs	'	'
Expected volatility - Medidata	52.00%	39.00%
Expected volatility - NASDAQ	13.00%	15.00%
Risk-free interest rate	0.12%	0.16%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected term	'10 months 21 days	'1 year

StockBased_Compensation_Detail5

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 5) (Performance-based restricted stock units [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of performance-based restricted stock units based upon expected performance	'
Nonvested number of shares/units at beggining of period	1,702
Nonvested weighted-average grant-date fair value at beginning of period	$29.18
Granted number of units (based on performance at 100% of targeted levels)	228
Granted weighted-average grant-date fair value	$54.01
Adjustment due to expected performance	-5
Adjustment due to expected performance weighted average grant date fair value	$67.01
Vested number of shares/units	-227
Vested weighted-average grant-date fair value	$26.33
Forfeited number of shares/units	-68
Forfeited weighted-average grant-date fair value	$47.58
Nonvested number of shares/units at end of period	1,630
Nonvested weighted-average grant-date fair value at end of period	$32.17
Revenue [Member]	'
Summary of performance-based restricted stock units based upon expected performance	'
Nonvested number of shares/units at beggining of period	454
Granted number of units (based on performance at 100% of targeted levels)	149
Adjustment due to expected performance	0
Vested number of shares/units	-152
Forfeited number of shares/units	-7
Nonvested number of shares/units at end of period	444
TSR [Member]	'
Summary of performance-based restricted stock units based upon expected performance	'
Nonvested number of shares/units at beggining of period	227
Granted number of units (based on performance at 100% of targeted levels)	74
Adjustment due to expected performance	0
Vested number of shares/units	-75
Forfeited number of shares/units	-4
Nonvested number of shares/units at end of period	222
Long-term [Member]	'
Summary of performance-based restricted stock units based upon expected performance	'
Nonvested number of shares/units at beggining of period	1,012
Granted number of units (based on performance at 100% of targeted levels)	0
Adjustment due to expected performance	0
Vested number of shares/units	0
Forfeited number of shares/units	-57
Nonvested number of shares/units at end of period	955
Other [Member]	'
Summary of performance-based restricted stock units based upon expected performance	'
Nonvested number of shares/units at beggining of period	9
Granted number of units (based on performance at 100% of targeted levels)	5
Adjustment due to expected performance	-5
Vested number of shares/units	0
Forfeited number of shares/units	0
Nonvested number of shares/units at end of period	9

StockBased_Compensation_Detail6

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 6) (Employee stock purchase plan [Member])	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Employee stock purchase plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average Black-Scholes assumptions used to estimate fair value of ESPP shares	'	'	'	'
Expected volatility	49.00%	0.00%	49.00%	0.00%
Expected life	'1 year 2 months 19 days	'0 years	'1 year 2 months 19 days	'0 years
Risk-free interest rate	0.21%	0.00%	0.21%	0.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Detail7

Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	'	'	$2,513,000	$0
Stock based compensation (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	8,630,000	7,124,000	18,329,000	12,329,000
Stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$17.10	$28.06	$22.64	$28.06
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	1,700,000	14,000,000	8,500,000	18,300,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation awards granted	12,000,000	'	12,000,000	'
Weighted-average remaining period over which cost is expected to be recognized	'	'	'2 years 4 months 17 days	'
Total fair value of shares vested	1,400,000	1,000,000	2,100,000	2,000,000
Total stock-based compensation	1,245,000	1,056,000	2,459,000	2,018,000
Restricted stock awards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation awards granted	32,400,000	'	32,400,000	'
Weighted-average remaining period over which cost is expected to be recognized	'	'	'2 years 5 months 9 days	'
Total fair value of shares vested	19,800,000	25,200,000	28,200,000	25,500,000
Total stock-based compensation	3,307,000	5,401,000	6,476,000	8,583,000
Performance-based restricted stock units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation awards granted	33,700,000	'	33,700,000	'
Weighted-average remaining period over which cost is expected to be recognized	'	'	'1 year 8 months 21 days	'
Total fair value of shares vested	0	0	13,300,000	0
Total stock-based compensation	3,700,000	667,000	8,450,000	1,728,000
Performance-based restricted stock units [Member] | Revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Target number of performance-based restricted stock units granted during the period	'	'	149,000	'
Award terms	'	'	'performance conditions based on revenue for the year ending December 31, 2014 relative to the Company's revenue guidance and a minimum profitability condition, vesting annually over three years commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, with the number of PBRSUs ultimately earned ranging from zero to 200% of the target	'
Performance-based restricted stock units [Member] | TSR [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Target number of performance-based restricted stock units granted during the period	'	'	74,000	'
Award terms	'	'	'market conditions based on the Company's total stockholder return ("TSR") relative to that of the NASDAQ Composite Index for the year ending December 31, 2014, vesting annually over three years commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date, with the number of PBRSUs ultimately earned ranging from zero to 200% of the target	'
Employee stock purchase plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	'	'	68,000	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	'	36.39	'
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	'	'	2,500,000	'
Stock based compensation (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation awards granted	3,300,000	'	3,300,000	'
Weighted-average remaining period over which cost is expected to be recognized	'	'	'1 year 6 months	'
Description of employee stock purchase plan	'	'	'The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company's common stock at a discount though payroll deductions, and consists of a 24-month offering period with four six-month purchase periods in each offering period. Employees purchase shares at the lesser of (1) 85% of the fair market value (bFMVb) per share on the first day of the offering period, or (2) 85% of the FMV per share at the end of the relevant purchase period.	'
Shares reserved under employee stock purchase plan	'	'	300,000	'
Total stock-based compensation	$378,000	$0	$944,000	$0

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Balance as of January 1, 2014	'	'	($199)	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	520	-42	703	-1,035
Balance as of June 30, 2014	504	'	504	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Balance as of January 1, 2014	'	'	-72	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	118	'
Balance as of June 30, 2014	46	'	46	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Balance as of January 1, 2014	'	'	-127	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	585	'
Balance as of June 30, 2014	$458	'	$458	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details Textual) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	$0

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Numerator	'	'		'	'
Net income	$2,296	$5,106		$481	$10,806
Denominator for basic earnings per share:	'	'		'	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding	52,457	50,850	[1]	52,284	50,546	[1]
Dilutive potential common shares:	'	'		'	'
Stock options	1,141	1,466	[1]	1,274	1,482	[1]
Restricted stock awards	567	956	[1]	721	904	[1]
Performance-based restricted stock units	663	216	[1]	717	124	[1]
Employee stock purchase plan	0	0	[1]	2	0	[1]
Weighted average common shares outstanding with assumed conversion	54,828	53,488	[1]	54,998	53,056	[1]
Basic earnings per share	$0.04	$0.10	[1]	$0.01	$0.21	[1]
Diluted earnings per share	$0.04	$0.09	[1]	$0.01	$0.20	[1]
[1]	Prior period results have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split which was effected in the form of a stock dividend in December 2013.

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_1

Earnings Per Share (Details 1)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	1,124	112	[1]	451	138	[1]
Stock options [Member]	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	417	112	[1]	289	64	[1]
Restricted stock awards [Member]	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	285	0	[1]	46	0	[1]
Performance-based restricted stock units [Member]	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	156	0	[1]	116	74	[1]
Employee stock purchase plan [Member]	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share	'	'		'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	266	0	[1]	0	0	[1]
[1]	Prior period results have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split which was effected in the form of a stock dividend in December 2013.

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate	38.00%	42.00%	23.00%	33.00%	'
Federal statutory income tax rate	'	'	35.00%	35.00%	'
R&D tax credit recognized during period	'	$1.20	'	'	'
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	'	'	'	'	4.1
Changes in tax position	'	'	$0	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Period following change in control for payments to be made upon involuntary termination of employment	'2 years
Period following change in control for continuation of health benefits	'12 months