The C3 Solutions alternative for dock scheduling
C3 Solutions, a Montreal company operating since 2000, sells an enterprise suite: C3 Reservations for dock scheduling, C3 Yard for yard management, an automated gate, and C3 Hive for driver pre-check-in. SimpleDock is a focused dock-scheduling tool for teams that don't need full yard management and want to be live in under an hour.
Free for one location · No contract · No credit card
You want a fast, modern, link-based booking experience your carriers will actually use.
You need enterprise dock scheduling and full yard management together, with a formal implementation and SAP or SFTP integrations.
Side-by-side
SimpleDock vs C3 Solutions, feature by feature.
| Feature | SimpleDock | C3 Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Yard management (YMS) | Not included — focused on dock scheduling | Yes, C3 Yard |
| Carrier booking | Shareable link, no account | Self-serve external portal for carriers and vendors |
| Driver pre-check-in | Yes | Yes, via C3 Hive |
| Setup | Self-serve, typically under 1 hour | Implementation project with a one-time fee |
| Integrations | MCP server and REST API on every plan; webhooks, Zapier on Pro | Web services, XML/flat files via SFTP, SAP |
| Pricing | Free for one location, then $49/location/month | One-time implementation fee plus an annual fee based on usage volume; not published |
Included
What you get with SimpleDock.
- A free plan, not a trialFree forever for 1 location and up to 3 team members. No credit card, no contract.
- Self-serve signupCreate an account and set up doors, hours, and appointment types yourself. No sales call or implementation project.
- A carrier booking pageOne shareable link per location. Carriers and drivers pick a time without an account, app, or login.
- ApprovalsRequire staff approval per appointment type before a booking is confirmed, on every plan.
- TV mode dock boardA live, full-screen board of today's trucks for a screen on the warehouse floor, on every plan.
- Claude, ChatGPT & Grok connectorsAn MCP server and REST API on every plan, so AI assistants can check availability and book or move trucks.
- AnalyticsBooking trends, booking-page conversion, no-show rate, dwell time, and peak times, on the Pro plan.
See SimpleDock yourself
Try the SimpleDock booking flow without signing up.
The booking experience your carriers would get with SimpleDock — link-based, no account required, under a minute end-to-end.
simpledock.ai/book/acme-warehouseWhere they win
Where C3 Solutions is the better choice.
We’re not the right tool for every team. If any of these matter more than fast setup and a no-account booking link, C3 Solutions is worth a look.
- Full YMS (C3 Yard) and an automated gate alongside dock scheduling
- Enterprise integrations: web services, XML or flat files over SFTP, and SAP
- A long enterprise track record, with tiered programs from Basic to Enterprise
Migrating from C3 Solutions
You don't have to move over on your own. Email [email protected] with an export from C3 Solutions — your locations, doors, appointment types, and upcoming appointments — and we'll set up your facility and bring your future appointments across for you, free. Once it's ready, send carriers your new booking link and they book from there.
Comparison data last verified: 2026-10-13
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best C3 Solutions alternatives?
- For enterprise dock and yard together, Opendock, Descartes, and Transporeon are the closest like-for-like options. If you only need dock appointments and want to skip the implementation project, SimpleDock is free for one location and self-serve. See our roundup of the best dock scheduling software for the full list.
- How does C3 Solutions compare to Opendock?
- Both now sell yard management alongside dock scheduling. Opendock, owned by Loadsmart, pairs its dock scheduling with driver check-in, a yard management module, and AI gate cameras. C3 Solutions pairs C3 Reservations (dock scheduling) with C3 Yard, an automated gate, and C3 Hive for driver pre-check-in. C3 publishes a pricing model of a one-time implementation fee plus an annual usage fee; Opendock doesn't publish pricing. If you only need dock appointments, not yard moves, a focused scheduler like SimpleDock is lighter and free for one location.
- If we need YMS, is SimpleDock the right tool?
- If you need full yard management — gate, trailer tracking, yard moves — SimpleDock is not a substitute. SimpleDock focuses on dock-door scheduling.
- Can SimpleDock and a YMS coexist?
- Yes. Many teams use SimpleDock for the carrier-facing booking link and a separate yard system for in-yard moves.
- How long does SimpleDock take to set up?
- A single facility with doors and appointment types is typically configured in under an hour. No implementation services required.
More comparisons and resources
Ready to try the C3 Solutions alternative?
Free for your first location, forever. Set up in minutes — no credit card, no sales call.
Free for one location · No contract · No credit card