<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 10.1

FOURTH AMENDMENT, dated as of September 25, 1998 (this "AMENDMENT"), to the 
CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of October 2, 1997, as amended by the Global 
Amendment and Assignment and Acceptance, dated as of October 20, 1997, the 
Second Amendment, dated as of March 13, 1998, and the Third Amendment, dated 
as of May 8, 1998 (as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified 
from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among AXIOHM TRANSACTION 
SOLUTIONS, INC. (f/k/a DH Technology, Inc.), a California corporation (the 
"BORROWER"), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities 
from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the "LENDERS"), LEHMAN 
BROTHERS INC., as arranger, LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER INC., as syndication 
agent (in such capacities, the "SYNDICATION AGENT"), and UNION BANK OF 
CALIFORNIA, N.A., as administrative agent (the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT").
                                       
                             W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Syndication Agent, the Administrative Agent and 
the Lenders are parties to the Credit Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend the Credit Agreement to effectuate certain 
changes requested by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, all as set 
forth in this Amendment;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the parties hereto agree as 
follows:

SECTION 1.   DEFINITIONS.

1.1 DEFINED TERMS. Unless otherwise defined herein and except as set forth in 
this Amendment, terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as 
therein defined.

SECTION 2.   AMENDMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT.

2.1 AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 1.1 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. (a) The following 
definitions are hereby added to Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement in their 
proper alphabetical order:

         "'FQE 1', 'FQE 2' or 'FQE 3' shall mean, respectively, the last day 
of the Borrower's first, second and third fiscal quarters. The first fiscal 
quarter of each fiscal year begins on the Sunday closest to the last day of 
the prior calendar year, and continues for 13 calendar weeks. The second and 
third fiscal quarters continue for successive periods of 13 weeks each, and 
the fourth fiscal quarter continues for the period of 13 or 14 weeks, as the 
case may be, until the end of such fiscal year."

         "'FYE' shall mean the end of the designated fiscal year of the 
Borrower. Each fiscal year ends on the Saturday following closest to the last 
day of the designated year (which Saturday may fall in the succeeding 
calendar year)."

         (b) The definition of the term "Applicable Margin" is hereby amended 
by deleting such definition in its entirety and by substituting in lieu 
thereof the following:

         "'APPLICABLE MARGIN':  for each Type of Loan, the rate per annum set 
forth under the relevant column heading below:

                                   Page 26
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Base Rate         Eurodollar
                                              Loans             Loans
                                              -----             -----
<S>                                         <C>               <C>
         Revolving Credit Loans and
           Swing Line Loans                    2.00%            3.00%
         Tranche A Term Loans                  2.00%            3.00%
         Tranche B Term Loans                  2.25%            3.25%
</TABLE>

; PROVIDED, that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring at least 
one year after the Merger, the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving 
Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans, Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans 
will be determined pursuant to the relevant Pricing Grid."

         (c) The definition of the term "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio" is hereby amended by deleting such definition in its entirety and by
substituting in lieu thereof the following:

         "'CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO': for any period, the 
ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period less the aggregate amount 
actually paid by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in cash during such period 
on account of Capital Expenditures (excluding the principal amount of 
Indebtedness incurred in connection with such expenditures) to (b) 
Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period."

         (d) The definition of the term "Consolidated Fixed Charges" is 
hereby amended by deleting such definition in its entirety and by 
substituting in lieu thereof the following:

         "'CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGES': for any period, the sum (without 
duplication) of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period and (b) 
scheduled payments made during such period on account of principal of 
Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness of the types described in clauses (f), 
(g) and (k) of the definition thereof) of the Borrower or any of its 
Subsidiaries (including scheduled principal payments in respect of the Term 
Loans), minus any Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower during such 
period in connection with an Asset Sale."

         (e) The definition of the term "Consolidated EBITDA" is hereby 
amended by deleting "1998" in clause (g) thereof and by replacing it with 
"1999."

         (f) The definition of the term "Net Cash Proceeds" is hereby amended 
by deleting clause (b) thereof and by substituting in lieu thereof the 
following:

         "(b) in connection with any issuance or sale of equity securities or 
debt securities or instruments or the incurrence of loans, the cash proceeds 
received by the Borrower from such issuance or incurrence, net of attorneys' 
fees, investment banking fees, accountants' fees and other professional fees, 
underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable fees and expenses 
actually incurred in connection therewith."

         (g) The definition of the term "Pricing Grid" is hereby amended by 
deleting such definition in its entirety and by substituting in lieu thereof 
the following:

         "'PRICING GRID':  the pricing grids attached hereto as Annex A."

2.2 AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2.10 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. Section 2.10(a) of the 
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Section 2.10(a) in its 
entirety and by substituting in lieu thereof the following:

         "(a) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise agree, 
if any Capital Stock or Indebtedness shall be issued or Incurred by the 
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding any Indebtedness Incurred in 
accordance with Section 7.2 or Capital Stock issued in accordance with 
Section 7.9), an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of any 
Indebtedness Incurred and 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Capital Stock 
issued shall be applied on the date of such issuance or Incurrence toward the 
prepayment of the Term Loans and the reduction of the Revolving Credit 
Commitments as set forth in Section 2.10(d)."

                                   Page 27
<PAGE>

2.3 AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2.16(b) OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. Section 2.16(b) of 
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Section 2.16(b) in 
its entirety and by substituting in lieu thereof the following:

         "(b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on 
account of principal of and interest on the Term Loans shall be made PRO RATA 
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Term Loans 
then held by the Term Loan Lenders (except as otherwise provided in Section 
2.16(d)). The amount of each principal prepayment of the Term Loans shall be 
applied to reduce the then remaining installments of the Tranche A Term Loans 
and Tranche B Term Loans, as the case may be, in the inverse order of their 
respective maturities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of 
principal prepayments of the Term Loans with Net Cash Proceeds of any Capital 
Stock issued by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with 
Section 2.10(a), such prepayments shall be applied to reduce the then 
remaining installments of the Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans, 
as the case may be, PRO RATA based upon the then remaining principal amount 
thereof. Amounts prepaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed."

2.4 AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7.1 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. Section 7.1 of the 
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Section 7.1 in its 
entirety and by substituting in lieu thereof the following:

         "7.1  FINANCIAL CONDITION COVENANTS.

         (a) CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Consolidated Leverage 
Ratio as at the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of 
the Borrower (or, if less, the number of full fiscal quarters subsequent to 
the Closing Date) ending with any fiscal quarter set forth below to exceed 
the ratio set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Consolidated
                 Fiscal Quarter            Leverage Ratio
                 --------------            --------------
<S>                                        <C>
                  FYE 1997                 5.50 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 1998               5.50 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 1998               5.50 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 1998               5.50 to 1.00
                  FYE 1998                 5.50 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 1999               5.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 1999               5.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 1999               5.50 to 1.00
                  FYE 1999                 5.25 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2000               5.25 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2000               5.25 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2000               5.25 to 1.00
                  FYE 2000                 4.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2001               4.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2001               4.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2001               4.75 to 1.00
                  FYE 2001                 3.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2002               3.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2002               3.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2002               3.75 to 1.00
                  FYE 2002                 3.00 to 1.00
                  Thereafter               3.00 to 1.00
</TABLE>

         ; PROVIDED, that for the purposes of determining the ratio described
         above for the fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending FYE 1997, FQE 1
         1998 and FQE 2 1998, Consolidated EBITDA for the relevant period shall
         be deemed to equal Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal quarter (and, in
         the case of the latter two such determinations, each previous fiscal
         quarter commencing after the Closing Date) MULTIPLIED BY 4, 2 and 4/3,
         respectively.

                                   Page 28
<PAGE>

         (b) CONSOLIDATED INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Consolidated
         Interest Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal
         quarters of the Borrower (or, if less, the number of full fiscal
         quarters subsequent to the Closing Date) ending with any fiscal quarter
         set forth below to be less than the ratio set forth below opposite such
         fiscal quarter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Consolidated Interest
                  Fiscal Quarter               Coverage Ratio
                  --------------               --------------
<S>                                         <C>
                  FYE 1997                      1.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 1998                    1.50 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 1998                    1.70 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 1998                    1.90 to 1.00
                  FYE 1998                      1.80 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 1999                    1.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 1999                    1.75 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 1999                    1.80 to 1.00
                  FYE 1999                      1.90 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2000                    1.90 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2000                    1.90 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2000                    1.90 to 1.00
                  FYE 2000                      2.00 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2001                    2.00 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2001                    2.00 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2001                    2.00 to 1.00
                  FYE 2001                      2.50 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2002                    2.50 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2002                    2.50 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2002                    2.50 to 1.00
                  FYE 2002                      3.00 to 1.00
                  Thereafter                    3.00 to 1.00
</TABLE>

         (c) CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. Permit the Consolidated
         Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal
         quarters of the Borrower ending with any fiscal quarter set forth below
         to be less than the ratio set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Consolidated Fixed
                  Fiscal Quarter            Charge Coverage Ratio
                  --------------            ---------------------
<S>                                         <C>
                  FQE 3 1998                    1.45 to 1.00
                  FYE 1998                      1.25 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 1999                    1.15 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 1999                    1.05 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 1999                    1.05 to 1.00
                  FYE 1999                      1.05 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2000                    1.05 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2000                    1.05 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2000                    1.05 to 1.00
                  FYE 2000                      1.10 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2001                    1.10 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2001                    1.10 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2001                    1.10 to 1.00
                  FYE 2001                      1.15 to 1.00
                  FQE 1 2002                    1.15 to 1.00
                  FQE 2 2002                    1.15 to 1.00
                  FQE 3 2002                    1.15 to 1.00
                  FYE 2002                      1.25 to 1.00
                  Thereafter                    1.25 to 1.00"
</TABLE>
                                   Page 29
<PAGE>

2.5 AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7.12 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. Section 7.12 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Section 7.12 in its entirety
and by substituting in lieu thereof the following:

         "7.12  LIMITATION ON CHANGES IN FISCAL PERIODS.  Permit the
         fiscal year of the Borrower to end on a day other than as
         described in the definition of "FYE" or change the
         Borrower's method of  determining fiscal quarters."

2.6 AMENDMENT TO ANNEX A OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. Annex A of the Credit
Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Annex A in its entirety and by
substituting in lieu thereof the following:

         "PRICING GRID FOR REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS, SWING LINE LOANS AND
                             TRANCHE A TERM LOANS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio             Applicable Margin           Applicable Margin for
                                               for Eurodollar Loans             Base Rate Loans
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>                           <C>
Greater than or equal to 5.00 to 1.00                   3.00%                         2.00%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.00 to 1.00 but greater than                 2.75%                         1.75%
or equal to 4.25 to 1.00 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 4.25 to 1.00 but greater than                 2.50%                         1.50%
or equal to 3.50 to 1.00
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 3.50 to 1.00 but greater than                 2.25%                         1.25%
or equal to  3.00 to 1.00
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 3.00 to 1.00 but greater than                 2.00%                         1.00%
or equal to  2.50 to 1.00
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 2.50 to 1.00                                  1.75%                         0.75%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                         PRICING GRID FOR TRANCHE B TERM LOANS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Consolidated Leverage Ratio             Applicable Margin           Applicable Margin for
                                               for Eurodollar Loans             Base Rate Loans
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>                           <C>
Greater than or equal to 5.00 to 1.00                   3.25%                         2.25%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.00 to 1.00                                  3.00%                         2.00%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Changes in the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans, 
Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans resulting from changes in the 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the 
"ADJUSTMENT DATE") on which financial statements are delivered to the Lenders 
pursuant to Section 6.1 (but in any event not later than the 45th day after 
the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year or 
the 90th day after the end of each fiscal year, as the case may be) and shall 
remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this 
paragraph. If any financial statements referred to above are not delivered 
within the time periods specified above, then, until such financial 
statements are delivered, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as at the end of 
the fiscal period that would have been covered thereby shall for the purposes 
of this definition be deemed to be greater than 5.00 to 1.00. In addition, at 
all times while an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, 
the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall for the purposes of this definition be 
deemed to be greater than 5.00 to 1.00. Each determination of the 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant to this definition shall be made with 
respect to the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower 
ending at the end of the period covered by the relevant financial statements."

                                   Page 30
<PAGE>

SECTION 3.  MISCELLANEOUS.

3.1 EFFECTIVENESS. This Amendment shall become effective as of the date 
hereof (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") when (i) the Administrative Agent shall have 
received counterparts of this Amendment, duly executed and delivered by the 
Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and (ii) each 
Lender shall have received an amendment fee equal to 0.375% of the total 
Commitment as of the date hereof paid on a PRO RATA basis to each Lender.

3.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. After giving effect to the amendments 
contained herein, on the Effective Date, the Borrower hereby (i) confirms, 
reaffirms and restates the representations and warranties set forth in 
Section 4 of the Credit Agreement; PROVIDED that each reference in such 
Section 4 to "this Agreement" shall be deemed to be a reference both to this 
Amendment and to the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment and (ii) 
confirms that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be 
continuing.

3.3 CONTINUING EFFECT; NO OTHER AMENDMENTS. Except as expressly amended or 
waived hereby, all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and 
the other Loan Documents are and shall remain in full force and effect. The 
amendments contained herein shall not constitute an amendment or waiver of 
any other provision of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents or 
for any purpose except as expressly set forth herein.

3.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be executed in any number of 
counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which counterparts when so 
executed shall be an original, but all the counterparts shall together 
constitute one and the same instrument.

3.5 GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND  
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

3.6 EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse the Administrative 
Agent for all of its out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection 
with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment, including, 
without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel to the 
Administrative Agent.


                                   Page 31
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be 
executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the 
date first above written.

                                AXIOHM TRANSACTION SOLUTIONS, INC.

                                By:

                                Title:


                                UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A., as
                                 Administrative Agent and as a Lender

                                By:

                                Title:


                                LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER INC., as
                                 Syndication Agent and as a Lender

                                By:
                                
                                Title:
                                

                                SOUTHERN PACIFIC BANK
                                
                                By:
                                
                                Title:
                                

                                BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
                                
                                By:
                                
                                Title:
                                
                                By:
                                
                                Title:
                                

                                BSB BANK & TRUST COMPANY
                                
                                By:
                                
                                Title:

                                   Page 32
<PAGE>

                                IMPERIAL BANK, A CALIFORNIA
                                BANKING  CORPORATION
                                
                                By:

                                Title:
                                

                                MELLON BANK, N.A.
                                
                                By:
                                
                                Title:
                                

                                SOCIETE GENERALE
                                
                                By:
                                
                                Title:
                                

                                BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS
                                
                                By:
                                
                                Title:

                                
                                BALANCED HIGH-YIELD FUND I LTD.
                                
                                By:  BHF-Bank Aktiengesellschaft,
                                     acting through its New York 
                                     Branch, as attorney-in-fact
                                
                                By:
                                Name:
                                Title:
                                
                                By:
                                Name:
                                Title: