However, the complex underlying technology stack for Fusion Applications presented a two-fold issue, serving as "a challenge for our resources and an opportunity for our business to connect with other systems," he said.

Prerequisites for Fusion Applications include SOA Suite, WebCenter Portal for Oracle Applications, BI Foundation Suite, Oracle's identity and access management software, GoldenGate, Fusion Transactional Business Intelligence and WebLogic Server, according to Gonzalez's presentation.

Stitching all of that together has been a tall order, Gonzalez said.

By going to SaaS for Fusion, "you're still going to be purchasing [the technology] in some hidden way, but you're removing the installation challenges," he said.

In an interview after his talk, Gonzalez said that IT Convergence decided to take on the burden of an on-premises deployment in part because it plans to develop a consulting practice around Fusion Applications and wanted to give staffers a chance to gain the needed expertise.