We present two new beneficial methods emerging from the application of the Simplified Differential Equations approach to a canonical basis of master integrals. The first one is a method which allows for an easy determination of the boundary conditions, since it finds relations between the boundaries of the basis elements and the second one indicates how using the x → 1 limit to the solutions of a canonical basis, one can obtain the solutions to a canonical basis for the same problem with one mass less. Both methods utilise the residue matrices for the letters {0, 1} of the canonical differential equation. As proof of concept, we apply these methods to a canonical basis for the three-loop ladder-box with one external mass off-shell, obtaining subsequently a canonical basis for the massless three-loop ladder-box as well as its solution.