Amazon Location Service

Amazon Location Service Cheat Sheet

Amazon Location Service enables developers and organizations to easily add and manage location-aware features (maps, places search, routing, geofences, device tracking) in applications while maintaining data control and security.

Key Features

Amazon Location Service provides all the essential building blocks for location-enabled apps, offering tools for mapping, search, routing, tracking, and geofencing. The service integrates tightly with the AWS ecosystem so you can handle permissions, monitoring, and event-based automation using familiar AWS tools.

1. Maps: Add interactive maps from trusted providers (Esri, HERE, etc.).
2. Places (Geocoding): Convert addresses to coordinates and search locations.
3. Routing: Get travel routes and estimated times.

4. Trackers: Monitor and store the positions of devices or vehicles.
5. Geofences: Set virtual zones and trigger alerts when you enter or exit them.
6. AWS integration: Works with CloudWatch, IAM, and EventBridge for monitoring and security.

Benefits

The service helps teams move quickly by removing the complexity of managing their own mapping infrastructure. With AWS reliability, built-in privacy protection, and a simple usage-based model, it fits a wide range of applications—from delivery apps to IoT tracking systems.

1. Fast setup: Add mapping and tracking without custom coding.
2. Reliable and scalable: Uses AWS global infrastructure.
3. Privacy first: You control your data; it’s not shared for ads.
4. Lower cost: Pay only for what you use; no servers to manage.
5. Flexible use: Ideal for logistics, delivery, IoT, or map-based apps.

Security

Amazon Location Service is designed with strong security controls to protect sensitive location data. It integrates with AWS identity, encryption, and monitoring services to ensure data is accessed only by authorized users and is never shared with third-party map providers without your control.

1. IAM control: Use fine-grained IAM policies to restrict access to maps, routes, trackers, and geofences.
2. Data encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest using AWS-managed keys.
3. No data sharing: Your location data is not shared with map providers for advertising or profiling.
4. Private maps: Access map resources securely without exposing them publicly.
5. Auditability: CloudTrail logs all API activity for compliance and monitoring.

Pricing

• Free tier: Free use for 3 months, subject to usage limits.
• Pay-as-you-go: Costs depend on requests (maps, routes, tracking).
• Typical costs: Around a few cents per 1,000 requests; cheaper for bulk use.
• Recent update: AWS reduced prices (up to 75%) for tracking and geofencing.

Amazon Location Service Cheat Sheet References:

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/location/

https://aws.amazon.com/location/pricing/