Enterprise software maker BEA Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: BEA) has agreed to be sold to software provider Oracle for $8.5 billion, or about 25 percent more than Oracle's rejected purchase bid in October 2007. The price increase is somewhat surprising the 17 percent decline of BEA's stock since the October buy-out attempt (although its stock price has come back up somewhat due to this new announcement).

This tech/business news story reminds me of the colossal "GooTube" purchase in late 2006 when Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion. Large-scale purchases like these show the clout of the Internet and computing industries.

Here are some good ways to respond when a big player in your industry buys another big company:

1. Learn all you can - Go to the corporate newsrooms or equivalent press areas of the companies' websites. Dig up the relevant info there and look for a phone number to call for more information if the deal is particularly relevant.

2. Prepare for the future - When companies combine forces, the effects on competitors can be difficult to overcome. Do your best to research the possible effects the new merger or buyout may have on your business and yor industry.

3. Know what to say - Be ready to answer your customers' (and the press's) questions about your perspective on the buyout in your industry. Think about how to project a calm, confident image.

4. If you can't beat 'em, join em? - At the least, think of how your company might benefit by being sold to (or buying) one or more of the companies involved in the purchase.

Time will tell how Oracle and BEA will work together and how the purchase will affect their industry.