The award of the Post Office counter automation project to Nixdorf Computer Ltd is grounds for celebration in Farnborough, Hampshire: the Paderborner will open a major support office in the hometown of the Royal Aircraft Establishment so as to be able to work closely with Thorn EMI Software Sciences, which is the managing contractor, and the Post Office base in Farnborough; an initial 10 project support staff recruited locally is expected to expand as the project progresses.