The document presents an architectural reference model (ARM) for the Internet of Things (IoT), developed under the European FP7 research project IoT-A, emphasizing the importance of interoperability across different platforms and application fields. It outlines the rationale, benefits, and methodology for creating a common ground for IoT system developers, facilitating the generation of interoperable architectures. Additionally, it discusses various application fields and concludes with insights on the economic benefits and best practices for implementing IoT systems compliant with the ARM.