Execute script example - help

I am trying to run an external python script to learn how to tranfser data to other applications, with no success so far.

The script simply writes to a text file, I'm able to run the python script manually.

From a command line:
change directory to "D:\ManageEngine\ServiceDesk\integration\custom_scripts"
issue the following command "python test_api.py"
Text file gets created properly

I have tried the following methods:

Execute script from the Field & Form Rules

~ this method seems to only run internal scripts.

Custom Trigger

~ Created new pick-list field in "Incident - Additional Fields" , common to both incidents and requests
~ Placed the python script in [SDP]\integration\custom_scripts\ directory
~ Created a "Custom Trigger", selected the new field for the Criteria
~ the Action Executor string is "python test_api.py"
~ I create or update the request ticket to set the field, no file is created
~ I don't get any kind of error and I don't see anything in the SDP log

Also tried to run the script from a Custom Menu

~ I had to use a batch file to run the python script
~ Message box comes up and says the script ran
~ No log file gets created, I'm assuming the message refers to the batch file itself not the python script

How can I troubleshoot this, to see if the script is being run?

I am running SDP 9.1 Build 9119

Thanks