Does anyone have a suggestion for backing up my data that is automated? I'd like to schedule a backup from within filemaker every evening. Anyone have any ideas?

For FM Server, use the built-in scheduled backup capability.

For FM Client, it's not safe to finder-copy an open file, and there's no sure way of kicking off connected clients in order to close the file. You may be able to script a Save a Copy As command (I think this will work with connected clients?,) to happen each night.

Use FM Server. It can backup the files while they have guests connected, without having to down the server.

Backups of sorts can be performed using FM Pro (using the Save a Copy As... script step) but only if the files have no guests attached.

I've been there and done that... FM Server is the way to go.

You can use NTBackup in the Windows XP Task Scheduler to back up every night.

Write a little batch script and make a backup (copy) to the database you want and append date or time to the end.