(57) Apparatus (10) is disclosed for obtaining recharge codes for one or more postage meters. The apparatus includes a conventional microcomputer (12), including a keyboard (14), display (16) and disk drive (20), which is connected through a modem (22) to a remote data processing center (30). The center (30) provides codes which may be used to recharge postage meters (40a,40b), i.e., to reset the meters so that they may continue printing postage. The apparatus includes a data bank of information relating to each of the postage meters, including identification codes for each of the meters. A user enters information, including a control sum, for each meter and the apparatus combines it with other information stored in the data bank to form messages. The apparatus then enters into transactions with the remote data processing center (30) to obtain recharge codes for each of the meters, which codes are then displayed for entry into the meters. In another embodiment the apparatus may operate via a local communications network.