Thoma Bravo is a Chicago-based private equity firm that focuses on software and technology businesses. Some of the companies in their portfolio include Attachmate, Entrust, LANDesk Software, SonicWALL Inc., and Tripwire Inc. Now Thoma Bravo is acquiring Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCSI) for about $1.3 billion.

Novell, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL) has entered a definitive merger agreement with Attachmate Corporation. Attachmate will be acquiring Novell at $6.10 per share in cash. The transaction value at that price makes it a $2.2 billion deal. Attachmate is owned by an investment group led by Francisco Partners, Golden Gate Capital, and Thoma Bravo.