Barry Communications

What Barry Communications does

Barry Communications is a family-owned managed services provider headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded by Barry Gerhardt in 1981 (with some sources citing 1982) to serve small and mid-sized businesses across New England with integrated voice, data, and IT solutions. The company operates two intertwined business lines: UCaaS/CCaaS cloud communications and Managed IT Services delivered through its Aileron group. On the communications side, Barry resells, integrates, and supports best-in-class platforms including 8x8, Mitel MiVoice Business, Zoom, Five9, Nice, and Microsoft Teams, supplemented by its own ipConnect Mitel Private Cloud offering, Poly and Mitel endpoint devices, and Brightmetrics analytics. The Aileron Managed IT Services group adds technical support, systems monitoring, cybersecurity, data backup and disaster recovery, and virtual CIO services with a documented 20-year operating history.

The business model is sales-led and services-heavy, combining recurring managed services and subscription UCaaS/CCaaS revenue with hardware/device pass-through sales and professional services for consultation, implementation, deployment, and training. GTM is direct and white-glove: dedicated consultants and project managers guide customers through discovery, planning, integration, go-live, and ongoing support, with new business generated primarily through word-of-mouth referrals. The customer base of 1,500+ spans Healthcare, Finance, Call Centers, and other mission-critical CX organizations, with named enterprise references including Kayem Foods, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Bertera Auto Group, Salmon Health and Retirement, Agilux Laboratories, and J.W. Childs Associates. Reported client retention exceeds 90% with average customer tenures of 5-10+ years. The company is controlled by founder Barry Gerhardt (President) and Joni Gerhardt (EVP), has no disclosed external institutional investment, and operates with no documented M&A or geographic expansion activity.

Name

Barry Communications

Legal name

Barry Communications

Website

https://barrycommunications.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Barry Communications is a family-owned managed services provider in Worcester, MA, delivering UCaaS/CCaaS cloud communications and Managed IT (Aileron) to 1,500+ small and mid-sized businesses across New England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed Communications and IT Services

NAICS

All Other Telecommunications (517810)

SIC

Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385)

akta.pro primary industry

Contact Center (CCaaS) & Customer Engagement Voice (HDAIAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unified Communications & Collaboration Network Services (VoIP/QoS) (BPAEAEAI), Customer Service/Support CRM & Contact Center Platforms (BPAFAFAK), VoIP Access & ITSP Services (HDAIAHAD), AV/Collaboration & Unified Communications Support (VoIP, Video, UCaaS) (BPAAACAJ)

Keywords

• Cloud communications services
• Managed IT services
• UCaaS solutions
• CCaaS solutions
• Business phone systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Worcester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Managed IT Services: Ongoing managed services revenue from technical support, systems maintenance and monitoring, cybersecurity, data backup and disaster recovery, and virtual CIO services. Clear transparent pricing model through their Aileron Managed IT Services Group.
2. UCaaS and CCaaS Subscriptions: Subscription-based cloud communications services for unified communications and contact center solutions delivered as hosted cloud solutions, with flexible public and private cloud deployment options.
3. Hardware and Device Sales: Procurement and sale of business phones, headsets, peripherals, and accessories from vendors including Mitel, Poly, and other platforms they resell.
4. Professional Services and Consulting: Consultation, project management, implementation, deployment, and training services for cloud communications and managed IT solutions.
5. Carrier Services: Wide range of carrier services including access services, authentication, Ethernet switches/routing/WiFi, SIP trunking, and POTS replacement solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Barry Communications is a customer-first managed services provider selling integrated communications and IT solutions to more than 1,500 small and mid-sized businesses across New England. Its core offerings span UCaaS/CCaaS cloud communications built on best-in-class platforms (8x8, Zoom, Five9, Nice, Microsoft Teams, Mitel), the Aileron Managed IT Services Group covering technical support, cybersecurity, data backup, and virtual CIO services, and the sale and integration of business phones, headsets, and accessories.

Product overview

Barry Communications is a customer-first managed services provider offering integrated communications and IT solutions. The portfolio spans two core categories: UCaaS/CCaaS communications platforms and Managed IT Services. For communications, Barry builds solutions on best-in-class platforms including 8×8, Zoom, Five9, Nice, Microsoft Teams, and Mitel MiVoice Business. The Mitel ecosystem includes MiContact Center for omnichannel customer engagement, MiCollab for conferencing and collaboration, and Brightmetrics for analytics. Barry also offers a proprietary private cloud called ipConnect Mitel Private Cloud. Device offerings include Mitel MiVoice 6900 Series IP phones, DECT headsets, and speakerphones, plus Poly VVX desk phones and conference phones. The Aileron Managed IT Services group provides technical support, cybersecurity, data backup/disaster recovery, SD-WAN, network security, and virtual CIO services. Additional services include carrier services, monitoring, end-to-end consultation and project management, and support for on-premise and legacy systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aileron: Barry Communications' Managed IT Services Group with a 20-year track record of delivering technical expertise with emphasis on superior customer service. Named after the airplane component that ensures stability in flight, representing their commitment to keeping customer systems stable and running.

Products and services

• UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) Cloud-based unified communications integrating voice, video, messaging, and conferencing into a single platform, delivered on best-in-class platforms such as 8x8, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Mitel. Targeted at businesses seeking to modernize voice and collaboration.
• CCaaS (Contact Center as a Service) Cloud-based contact center solution with omnichannel capabilities (phone, email, chat, SMS, social, video), AI-powered workflows, intelligent call routing, and real-time analytics. Targeted at organizations seeking to elevate customer experience across channels.
• ipConnect Mitel Private Cloud Barry's proprietary private cloud solution for Mitel deployments, providing greatest flexibility with end-to-end support and maximum reliability through multiple upstream providers connecting to public voice networks. Includes SIP trunking and is targeted at customers preferring private cloud over public cloud deployments.
• Aileron Managed IT Services Managed IT services group covering technical support, systems maintenance and monitoring, cybersecurity, data backup and disaster recovery, and virtual CIO services. Delivered with clear, transparent pricing and aimed at SMBs that prefer to outsource IT rather than manage it in-house.
• Technical Support (Managed IT) Rapid employee desktop support delivered remotely, onsite, or by phone for troubleshooting and problem resolution. Aimed at SMBs needing outsourced helpdesk coverage.
• Systems Maintenance and Monitoring Routine maintenance, updates, and performance analysis across networks, servers, and infrastructure to ensure optimal IT investments. Targeted at organizations outsourcing IT operations.
• Cybersecurity Comprehensive cybersecurity program covering firewalls, spam/phishing/identity theft prevention, file security, and industry compliance. Targeted at organizations with regulatory or data-protection obligations.
• Data Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions protecting data and servers from hardware failure, malicious activity, and user error, with quick reliable backup retrieval. Aimed at businesses needing business continuity safeguards.
• Virtual CIO and Project Management Technology guidance and IT project coordination providing access to 30+ years of industry experience, functioning as an outsourced CIO for SMBs without a full-time executive.
• Consultation and Project Management End-to-end consulting services covering discovery, project planning, implementation strategy, integration, deployment, and training for cloud communications and managed IT engagements.
• SD-WAN Software-Defined Wide Area Network technology optimizing WAN operations with cloud-based management and automation for modernizing networks across multiple locations.
• Network Security Complete network security for mid-sized to large corporations including SonicWall UTM, cloud security, and DoS/DDoS protection.
• Carrier Services Access services, authentication/SSO, Ethernet switches/routing/WiFi, SIP trunking, and POTS replacement solutions connecting customer premises to voice and data networks.
• Monitoring and Support Remote monitoring from Barry's Network Operations Center, repair service, business relocation and upgrades, and 24/7 emergency support for managed customers.
• Poly VVX Business Phones and Conferencing Devices Procurement, configuration, and sale of Poly VVX series VoIP desk phones (models 150, 250, 350, 450), Poly conference phones, DECT headsets, and expansion modules optimized for 8x8 voice and collaboration deployments.
• Mitel MiVoice 6900 Series Phones and Accessories Sale of Mitel MiVoice 6900 Series IP desktop phones, MiVoice DECT headsets, S720 Bluetooth speakerphone, and programmable expansion modules optimized by Barry's technicians for hybrid work environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Client retention rate exceeding 90 percent
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• 8x8coreTechnology or Integration8x8 is a primary platform partner offering UCaaS and CCaaS solutions. Barry Communications partners with 8x8, an industry-leading public cloud company. 8x8 was named a leader for the 10th time in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant, offering full-featured UCaaS and CCaaS capability on a flexible, easy-to-use, secure cloud platform with connectivity in 120+ countries.
• Microsoft TeamscoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Teams integration allows seamless integration with customers' existing Teams infrastructure. Barry offers 8x8's Microsoft Teams certified cloud contact center and direct routing capabilities, enabling global calling from native Teams dialer.
• MitelcoreTechnology or IntegrationMitel is a primary platform partner providing MiVoice Business and MiContact Center solutions. Barry offers ipConnect Mitel Private Cloud with end-to-end support. Mitel solutions include UCaaS, CCaaS, collaboration, mobile apps, and analytics.
• ZoomcoreTechnology or IntegrationZoom is offered as a platform option for UCaaS solutions. Barry builds solutions on Zoom platform tailored to customer requirements for meetings, chat, and collaboration.
• Five9coreTechnology or IntegrationFive9 is offered as a CCaaS platform option for contact center solutions. Barry integrates Five9's contact center capabilities with customer requirements.
• NicecoreTechnology or IntegrationNice is offered as a CCaaS platform option for contact center solutions. Barry provides Nice's contact center technology for customers with advanced analytics and AI needs.
• PolycoreTechnology or IntegrationPoly provides business phones and audio equipment for 8x8 solutions. Barry offers Poly VVX series desk phones, conference phones, wireless headsets, and expansion modules known for outstanding sound quality and reliability.
• Mitel (Phones)coreTechnology or IntegrationMitel's MiVoice family of phones including 6900 Series IP phones, DECT headsets, Bluetooth speakerphones, and programmable expansion modules are offered and optimized by Barry's expert technicians.
• BrightmetricssupportingTechnology or IntegrationBrightmetrics provides contact center analytics for Mitel MiContact Center. Barry offers Brightmetrics' powerful reporting, real-time data, and historical analytics for customer satisfaction, staffing optimization, and employee performance tracking.
• SonicWallsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSonicWall provides Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions including intrusion prevention, gateway anti-virus, anti-spyware, IPSec VPN, SSL VPN, content filtering, and anti-spam for network security.
• OktasupportingTechnology or IntegrationOkta provides access management and Single Sign-On (SSO) integration for phone systems, streamlining access across applications and user management.
• Active DirectorysupportingTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Active Directory for access management and Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities, allowing streamlined access across organizational applications.
• HP, Adtran, CiscosupportingTechnology or IntegrationBarry supports communications infrastructure with Ethernet switches, routers, and WiFi equipment from HP, Adtran, Cisco, and SonicWall for complete network solutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Granite Telecommunications: Quincy, Massachusetts-based managed communications services provider serving SMBs and enterprises across the US with UCaaS, CCaaS, managed IT, and carrier services — directly comparable regional competitor with overlapping product set (UCaaS/managed services), overlapping customer segments, and overlapping carrier/voice lines.
• MetTel: Managed telecommunications and digital transformation provider offering UCaaS, CCaaS, SD-WAN, managed networks, and cybersecurity to SMB/mid-market/enterprise clients — comparable managed-services-plus-carrier model with telecom and IT integration.
• Evolve IP: Cloud communications and managed services provider delivering UCaaS, CCaaS, managed IT, and virtual desktops to mid-market organizations — comparable to Barry in stacking cloud communications with managed services and consulting-led GTM.
• Bridgepointe Technologies: Managed communications and IT services provider acting as a consultative broker/integrator for UCaaS, CCaaS, SD-WAN, and managed IT solutions for SMB and mid-market clients — comparable business model to Barry as a multi-vendor advisor/integrator.
• TPx Communications: US-based managed services provider offering UCaaS, CCaaS, managed IT, SD-WAN, and cybersecurity to SMBs and mid-market enterprises — directly comparable product suite and customer segment.
• Converge Technology Solutions (ConvergeOne): Large North American systems integrator and managed services provider focused on UCaaS, CCaaS, collaboration, and managed IT — direct competitor as a Mitel/8x8 reseller/integrator with end-to-end project management and managed services across verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Vonage (Ericsson): Cloud communications provider now part of Ericsson, offering UCaaS, CCaaS, and APIs for SMB through enterprise customers — broad incumbent in the same UCaaS/CCaaS category with much larger scale and a direct-to-customer sales motion that competes with resellers like Barry.
• Lumen Technologies: Global tier-1 carrier with a large UCaaS/CCaaS, managed services, SD-WAN, and cybersecurity portfolio serving enterprise and mid-market — a broad incumbent that overlaps Barry's UCaaS/managed IT space but competes at much larger scale and geographies.
• RingCentral: Leading pure-cloud UCaaS/CCaaS platform vendor competing head-on with 8x8 and Mitel in Barry's portfolio — broad incumbent that competes with Barry's customer base by selling direct, increasing the risk that partners get disintermediated.
• Windstream Enterprise: Large carrier-turned-managed-services provider offering UCaaS (OfficeSuite UC), CCaaS, SD-WAN, and managed network services across the US — broader incumbent that competes by going direct to customers and bundling connectivity, voice, and managed IT.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Barry Communications