Single sign-on method for web-based applications

A method for single-sign on of a user on a client machine to one or more target applications on target application servers in a computer information-processing network, including: accessing an access server from the client machine; entering user-specific access server logon credentials for logon and access to the access server; selecting a target application; presenting to the target application by the access server, previously stored user-specific target application logon credentials for logon and access to the target application in a form and according to a protocol recognizable by the target application thereby logging into the target application on behalf of the user and establishing a target application session; sending from the access server to the client machine, information for establishing a connection from the client machine to the target application; and establishing a target application session, bypassing the access server, between the client machine and the target application.