Summary of Stock Based Compensation Expense by Category (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended						3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Parent	Mar. 31, 2012 Parent	Jun. 30, 2013 Parent	Jun. 30, 2012 Parent	Jun. 30, 2013 Cost of revenue--services Parent	Jun. 30, 2012 Cost of revenue--services Parent	Jun. 30, 2013 Marketing and selling Parent	Jun. 30, 2012 Marketing and selling Parent	Jun. 30, 2013 Research and development Parent	Jun. 30, 2013 Research and development Parent	Jun. 30, 2012 Research and development Parent	Jun. 30, 2013 General and administrative Parent	Jun. 30, 2013 General and administrative Parent	Jun. 30, 2012 General and administrative Parent
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 4	$ 0	$ 12	$ 1,420	$ 4	$ 1,420	$ 12	$ 1,420	$ 1	$ 2	$ 1	$ (5)	$ 1	$ 3	$ 324	$ 3	$ 7	$ 1,099

Marlborough Software Development Holdings Inc. 10-Q