Broadcom’s now nearly two years of VMware stewardship has been a fun rollercoaster I gladly bought a ticket to ride, but this week’s VMware Explore event hinted that the highs and lows of that track could be stabilizing.

That’s probably a good thing for most involved, but I have to say that I will miss some of that action.

This growing stability was my big takeaway from this week’s Explore event, where the unease of past year’s seemed to have given way to a more calm, focused business approach.

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan was refreshingly curt during his opening keynote address, staying on point in highlighting VMware’s benefits and not straying too far down hyperbole road many executives love to take. Tan, unfortunately, also did not throw out a hilariously insincere “sorry” for any upcoming changes as he did last year, which was definitely a disappointment.

Sure, there were probably a few too many pre-packaged customer glow-up videos and awkward moments where speakers had to chase applause (Hello Cleveland!), but I can also see the desire to push that narrative a bit in light of vocal opposing rants. Those videos were a good reminder that while Broadcom’s VMware integration has disrupted some, many have found success.

I do have to give Broadcom bonus points for not presenting those videos in a portrait format. It’s only a matter of time before marketing mavens jump all over that vertical orientation. (Also, get those damn kids off my lawn!)

It was also nice to see that some of VMware’s important go-to-market partners were not publicly admonished when validating some of their broader concerns. Broadcom execs went out of their way to highlight their need for those partners – though obviously only those that it deems “all-in” – a relationship that still has some potential bumps to iron out.

My one-on-one interviews with Broadcom executives were also refreshingly candid, with a seeming lack of needing to stick to talking points and instead having flowing conversations unencumbered by taboo topics. They were also patient in walking through where VMware’s current product and services structure stood today, necessary guidance following the numerous changes that have flowed through the VMware system over the past 18 months.

There also seemed to be a lightness on the VMware Explore show floor

While the breadth of booths might have been lacking – I think there were more bean bags and video games than individual vendor booths, which seems to be the new normal for most industry events – the depth of important players on site (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google, IBM, etc.) showed solid support.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that Broadcom’s VMware purchase and subsequent overhaul of its operations has caused life-altering upheaval both within VMware and to its customer base.

There is a building not 10 minutes from where I live that used to proudly display a VMware sign high on its side that now just shows the faded outline of what used to be. The shock of the deal and the swift changes made caused waves of concern, much of which was justified.

Unfortunately, that template was etched in stone years ago and will continue to be followed regardless of the logos involved.

But I also keep going back to numerous conversations I have had with various industry analysts and observers about those changes that pointed to Tan doing to VMware what he said he was going to do. Many might not agree with the decisions, methods, or end results, but they were telegraphed well ahead of time, and for the most part Broadcom has acted on that intent.

Now, do I think that all of Broadcom’s VMware integration challenges are now complete and that everyone is in for a smooth ride? Far from it, and it sounds like it could still be a few years until everyone is through the turbulence.

Broadcom has shown that it will listen to concerns and make changes where it sees fit, but it’s also shown considerable resolve in getting to where it wants to go.

Luckily, others have stepped up to constructed their own diabolical rollercoasters to induce new levels of stomach churn and angst, which should be enough to satiate my appetite for chaos.