Is there any way filemaker can have a permanent connection through ODBC into sql. So that when new entries come into the SQL Server 2005 they automatically update in filemaker, without using the import function in filemaker. Also if anyone knows of a better way to do this I'm all ears.

"automatically" implies event triggers (actions are taken based on events, like the creation of new entries in SQL). FM doesn't have events unless you use a plugin. With a plugin you'd still have to open a connection to the SQL db, check for new entries and get them in.

If I needed to do this I'd probably write a little piece of middleware that checks the SQL db on a schedule and when new entries are found, pushes them directly to FileMaker Server (Advanced, through either ODBC or the XML interface).

Using a plugin means that you'd need a FMP client machine doing the checking. The server based approach is more robust.

Thanks for the info, now to write the software...