Dock Management Software

Dock Management Software

Manage your dock and check container status

Manage your dock and check container status

Overview

Dockon is a SaaS platform that allows users to efficiently schedule docks to prevent additional charges.

Problem

The demand for dock management solutions in shipping is increasing. While many systems exist, there is still a need for additional features to help prevent extra charges from carriers.

Solution

To avoid additional carrier charges, input the actual unloading start and finish times for accurate waiting charge calculations, update the system upon container return to prevent detention fees, and assign staff to specific docks for optimal utilization and scheduling.

Impact

The waiting cost is expected to be predicted with 90% accuracy.

Staffing and work are expected to be managed efficiently, resulting in a 20% reduction in labor costs.

Detention charges can be reduced by 80% through enabling immediate checking of container status.

Customer

Import companies with warehouses.

My role/Year

UI/UX designer

2025

Solution

Solution

The dock will automatically detect when a container arrives, record the time and input it into the system, calculate waiting charges, and help avoid being overcharged by trucking companies.

Solution

Track your containers and ensure they are returned on time to avoid unnecessary detention charges.

Solution

Assign staff to specific docks and monitor their schedules to ensure efficient dock utilization and staffing.

The challenge

I have recognized the difficulties users are experiencing and developed a question on how we can address these issues.

How can we improve dock management software to avoid billing extra cost?

1

Some warehouses lack proper software systems, leading to conflicts in unloading due to limited dock facilities and staffing.

Some warehouses lack proper software systems, leading to conflicts in unloading due to limited dock facilities and staffing.

2

Many containers are often sent to warehouses simultaneously.

Many containers are often sent to warehouses simultaneously.

3

There is a growing need for dock management solutions in shipping.

There is a growing need for dock management solutions in shipping.

4

While many dock management softwares are available, additional features focused on reducing shipping costs are still needed.

While many dock management softwares are available, additional features focused on reducing shipping costs are still needed.

User interview

To validate my initial assumptions and gain deeper insights into user needs, behaviors, and pain points, I conducted in-depth interviews with five carefully selected participants.

It’s frustrating to schedule appointments with warehouse staff, as the process is often disorganized and inconsistent.

Operations specialist

It’s frustrating to schedule appointments with warehouse staff, as the process is often disorganized and inconsistent.

Operations specialist

It’s frustrating to schedule appointments with warehouse staff, as the process is often disorganized and inconsistent.

Operations specialist

The driver had to wait a long time due to a staffing shortage at the warehouse.

Freight logistician

The driver had to wait a long time due to a staffing shortage at the warehouse.

Freight logistician

The driver had to wait a long time due to a staffing shortage at the warehouse.

Freight logistician

I’m concerned about receiving detention charges due to delays in container returns.

Freight coordinator

I’m concerned about receiving detention charges due to delays in container returns.

Freight coordinator

I’m concerned about receiving detention charges due to delays in container returns.

Freight coordinator

Secondary research and Consumer behavior research

To better understand the scope of the problem, I conducted secondary research and gathered insights from logistics communities about dock managements.

46% of surveyed loading companies have already adopted digital tech solutions for efficient dock management.

46% of surveyed loading companies have already adopted digital tech solutions for efficient dock management.

46% of surveyed loading companies have already adopted digital tech solutions for efficient dock management.

Spanish Logistics Center (CEL) and CargoON

Spanish Logistics Center (CEL) and CargoON

Spanish Logistics Center (CEL) and CargoON

Increase Dock Productivity by 30% with Automation.

Increase Dock Productivity by 30% with Automation.

Increase Dock Productivity by 30% with Automation.

C3 solution

C3 solution

C3 solution

The use of its dock scheduler can reduce waiting times at warehouses by up to 70%.

The use of its dock scheduler can reduce waiting times at warehouses by up to 70%.

The use of its dock scheduler can reduce waiting times at warehouses by up to 70%.

CargoON

CargoON

CargoON

Affinity mapping and insight

Furthermore, there is increasing demand for better dock management solutions. Through my research and affinity mapping, I identified key issues such as long waiting times and concerns about detention charges, as shipping costs have become a major concern in the industry today.

I aim to address and solve these challenges : Waiting time, Manage staff, Detention

User research-poll graph

To verify whether the insights from the interviews were shared by a broader audience, I conducted polls in a LinkedIn group of logistics professionals. The results showed strong alignment with the interview findings, suggesting that these insights are relevant and have potential to be developed into actionable ideas

Q1. Do you feel it's challenging to manage dock scheduling to receive containers?

Q1. Do you feel it's challenging to manage dock scheduling to receive containers?

Q1. Do you feel it's challenging to manage dock scheduling to receive containers?

61%

20%

20%

Yes

No

Sometimes

Q2. Are you concerned about detention charges due to unloading delays at the warehouses?

Q2. Are you concerned about detention charges due to unloading delays at the warehouses?

Q2. Are you concerned about detention charges due to unloading delays at the warehouses?

Yes

No

Sometimes

74%

14%

12%

Competitive analysis

There are numerous dock management software solutions available on the market. I’m looking to assess their existing features and identify opportunities for developing innovative functionalities they may currently lack. I found that features such as tracking waiting times, managing staff, and tracking containers were missing, and I aim to address these gaps.

Opendock

  • Integration with TMS, WMS, YMS, and ERP systems

  • Appointment Status such as no show, arrived, complete

  • Speficitation tagging such as damaged

  • Document load such as BOL and picture

  • Online Carrier Portal

  • Automated Notifications via email

  • Customized Availability

  • Integration with TMS, WMS, YMS, and ERP systems

  • Appointment Status such as no show, arrived, complete

  • Speficitation tagging such as damaged

  • Document load such as BOL and picture

  • Online Carrier Portal

  • Automated Notifications via email

  • Customized Availability

  • Integration with TMS, WMS, YMS, and ERP systems

  • Appointment Status such as no show, arrived, complete

  • Speficitation tagging such as damaged

  • Document load such as BOL and picture

  • Online Carrier Portal

  • Automated Notifications via email

  • Customized Availability

C3 reservation

  • Integration with ERP, WMS, TMS systems

  • Appointment Status but no arrival and complete

  • Automated email notification

  • Document load such as BOL and picture

  • Manage Multi facilities

  • Attach document

  • Data report

  • Integration with ERP, WMS, TMS systems

  • Appointment Status but no arrival and complete

  • Automated email notification

  • Document load such as BOL and picture

  • Manage Multi facilities

  • Attach document

  • Data report

  • Integration with ERP, WMS, TMS systems

  • Appointment Status but no arrival and complete

  • Automated email notification

  • Document load such as BOL and picture

  • Manage Multi facilities

  • Attach document

  • Data report

Veyor

  • Driver compliance & inductions

  • Manage bay capacity

  • Automated boom gates, number plate approval system

  • Guide drivers to bay/areas

  • ETAs / live Tracking

  • Record Arrival & departure times/entry & exit times and get report.

  • Driver compliance & inductions

  • Manage bay capacity

  • Automated boom gates, number plate approval system

  • Guide drivers to bay/areas

  • ETAs / live Tracking

  • Record Arrival & departure times/entry & exit times and get report.

  • Driver compliance & inductions

  • Manage bay capacity

  • Automated boom gates, number plate approval system

  • Guide drivers to bay/areas

  • ETAs / live Tracking

  • Record Arrival & departure times/entry & exit times and get report.

Goramp

  • Track KPIs & metrics

  • WMS, TMS or YMS integration

  • Real-time notifications and updates

  • Track KPIs & metrics

  • WMS, TMS or YMS integration

  • Real-time notifications and updates

  • Track KPIs & metrics

  • WMS, TMS or YMS integration

  • Real-time notifications and updates

Conduit

  • Data analysis

  • checked in-text message

  • Custom portal

  • Top volume carrier

  • Warehouse facility choose

  • Customer booking system

  • Data analysis

  • checked in-text message

  • Custom portal

  • Top volume carrier

  • Warehouse facility choose

  • Customer booking system

  • Data analysis

  • checked in-text message

  • Custom portal

  • Top volume carrier

  • Warehouse facility choose

  • Customer booking system

High Fidelity Design

Project Learning

Impact

It will help users consolidate their shipments efficiently and reduce costs by utilizing the container's capacity effectively by up to 30%.


By offering this service, the company expects to attract 20% more customers by helping them consolidate shipments and book the shipment through the app.

Learning

It’s difficult to gather all the data I need. For example, sometimes interviewees don’t discuss many things if they don’t have a lot of experience, as everyone has different work experiences, even within the same logistics field.


If I had more time, I would design the vendor details section more prominently. Now, I think it should be one of the key features that I should have included in the navigation bar.