There are variety of infrastructure and business models under the umbrella of cloud computing services. Firstly, Cloud Computing provides application and data services from a centralized server over the internet. The server reliability and data integrity is completely handled by the cloud services provider. This would mean that your company and the service provider will manage an agreement to ensure that you are receiving service from them and they will take care of the back end set and process.
Cloud computing services can provide range of services from end to end business applications and management solutions.
Platform level services can include services like hardware solutions in terms of storage, bandwidth, tools, internet service, CPU options etc. Companies like Amazon, Google AppEngine offers variety of such services.
Hosted application platforms provide range of client-service software solutions which allows you to host the applications on the service provider rather than your company taking up the responsibility of upgrades and backup.
Software integrated application platforms helps you to choose a provider who sells the software and also the server letting you to be the owner of hosting the application as well as the data.
The benefits that business owners can find from the Cloud Platforms are that the business can get more of what it wants from Cloud Platforms. It also includes faster rollout of new capabilities, Global scale and global reach, better support for business innovation etc. But it is also noted that cloud platforms bring risks - mainly business risks and not just technology risks. Read more about the Security Issues that are concerned with Cloud Computing.
Implementing cloud platforms definitely brings a difference in business and its success.