# Standalone application

Essentials was originally designed as a standalone SIMPL# Pro control system application and has developed into a versatile, pluggable application. This page describes how to use our built-in room types for a completely self-contained "one-slot" control program.

By defining devices and a room in a JSON configuration file, Essentials can control an entire AV control system for a room. A file can be manually created in an IDE such as Visual Studio Code, or it can be generated by a friendly web-based configuration tool on [PepperDash Portal](http://pepperdash.com/products/), or some other configuration tool application, both requiring no knowledge of JSON.  These tools step a user through building the necessary devices and setting to achieve a full working room.

## Included standalone room types

* `EssentialsHuddleSpaceRoom` - Presentation-only Huddle Room
  * Single display device (multiples supported if all displaying mirrored content)
  * Use the display's speakers or another device for audio
  * Any number of presentation sources
  * Fusion Room and Static Asset integration with device usage tracking and schedule awareness
  * Occupancy Sensor integration with vacancy shutdown
  * Audio/video routing via Crestron DM hardware

* `EssentialsHuddleVtc1Room` - Single-display ATC/VTC capable Huddle Room
  * All of the above, plus:
  * Audio calling via a DSP/Audio Codec or Video Codec
  * Video calling via a Video Codec
  * Microphone Mute button and LED color control
  * Schedule awareness via Video Codec
  * One button meeting join for Video Calling (with supported Video Codec)

See Also: [[Supported Devices|Supported-Devices]]

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