This paper explores the conceptual transfer of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) principles to the emerging domain of Manufacturing-as-a-Service (MaaS). While SaaS has become a mature and widely adopted model in software distribution, its structured application within cloud-based manufacturing remains underexplored. Through a bibliometric analysis of 65 academic publications retrieved from Scopus, this study identifies ten recurring SaaS characteristics, spanning infrastructure (e.g., cloud deployment and data security), service operations (e.g., performance monitoring and SLAs), and user/business interface (e.g., subscription pricing and UX design). Their relevance to MaaS contexts is examined through a content mapping procedure and synthesized into a three-layer capability framework. The results reveal a growing yet fragmented body of research addressing this translational potential, with conceptual gaps in areas such as service integration, pricing models, and modularity. A visual framework is proposed to support the adaptation of SaaS logic into MaaS environments, offering a structured foundation for future research on digital servitization and industrial service ecosystems.